Evaluating a Wearable Tracking System for Family Caregivers of Persons With Dementia With Wandering Concerns

NCT ID: NCT07116122

Last Updated: 2025-12-17

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

140 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2026-02-28

Study Completion Date

2026-08-31

Brief Summary

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This project has two stages feasibility (stage 1) and efficacy of the device (stage II) and is being completed to evaluate a tracking solution system (Care Companion) developed by Koronis Biomedical Technologies (KBT) to assist family caregivers of persons living with dementia that are at risk for wandering/elopement.

Participants in this stage 1 will be involved in this project for approximately 1 month and stage II participants will be involved for approximately 6 months.

Detailed Description

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Conditions

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Dementia Memory Loss Caregiver

Study Design

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Allocation Method

NA

Intervention Model

SINGLE_GROUP

A total of 70 (20 in stage 1, 50 in stage II) caregivers as well as the persons with Alzheimer's Disease (AD) will participate. Therefore, the number of anticipated enrollment is 140.
Primary Study Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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Tracking/finding system

Persons with dementia will wear the tracking device (Care Companion) and the caregivers will be using the companion smartphone application.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Tracking/finding system

Intervention Type DEVICE

Persons living with Alzheimer's Disease or Related dementias will wear the Care Companion smartwatch for approximately one month (stage I) or 6 months (stage 2). The Caretakers will utilize the smart phone application (app) to monitor the person wearing the watch and be alerted to elopements. The system will notify a caregiver if the person with dementia leaves a defined area (e.g., the home) via the application. In the tether mode (e.g., outside of the home), the system monitors the distance between the smartwatch and the caregiver's smartphone. When a separation distance exceeds a set threshold, the application will alert the caregiver and start tracking the location of the person with dementia by displaying the person's position on the caregiver's smartphone.

Interventions

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Tracking/finding system

Persons living with Alzheimer's Disease or Related dementias will wear the Care Companion smartwatch for approximately one month (stage I) or 6 months (stage 2). The Caretakers will utilize the smart phone application (app) to monitor the person wearing the watch and be alerted to elopements. The system will notify a caregiver if the person with dementia leaves a defined area (e.g., the home) via the application. In the tether mode (e.g., outside of the home), the system monitors the distance between the smartwatch and the caregiver's smartphone. When a separation distance exceeds a set threshold, the application will alert the caregiver and start tracking the location of the person with dementia by displaying the person's position on the caregiver's smartphone.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Identify as person providing support to the person living with dementia/memory loss due to person's dementia
* Has concerns about person living with dementia/memory loss wandering or eloping
* Have a smartphone (Android or Apple) with sufficient system requirements (e.g., iPhone 4s or better) or indicate a willingness to use the Care Companion and related smart phone application
* Able to converse in English and understand written English
* Must have internet and computer access capable of Zoom
* In the research staff's best judgment can:
* engage and assist the person with dementia wearing the device
* complete surveys via the internet
* engage in feedback on the devices (surveys and, if applicable, interview)

* Are unable to meet device use and orientation schedule requirements


* Have a provider diagnosis of AD/ADRD or caregiver has demonstrated it via the screening
* Willing to wear the Care Companion device for the duration of the study
* Able to converse in English

* Currently residing in a nursing home setting without regular outings
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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Koronis Biomedical Technologies

INDUSTRY

Sponsor Role collaborator

National Institute on Aging (NIA)

NIH

Sponsor Role collaborator

University of Michigan

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Colleen Peterson

Assistant Research Scientist

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Colleen M Peterson, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute

Locations

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University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute

Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States

Site Status

Countries

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United States

Central Contacts

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Colleen M Peterson, PhD

Role: CONTACT

734-615-2401

Hannah E Wheeler, MLIS

Role: CONTACT

734-615-2420

Facility Contacts

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Colleen M Peterson, PhD

Role: primary

734-615-2401

Other Identifiers

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2R42AG058336-02A1

Identifier Type: NIH

Identifier Source: secondary_id

View Link

HUM00241188

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id