Conversations as a Means to Delay Alzheimer's Disease Onset
Conversations as a Means to Delay Alzheimer's Disease Onset
Overall Status:
Recruiting
Brief Description:
The investigators will examine whether cognitive stimulation through daily conversation will have positive effects on cognitive functions among the elderly. Face-to-face communication will be conducted through the use of personal computers, webcams, and user-friendly Internet programs that allow participants to have conversations while staying at home.
Patient Qualifications:
| Min Age | Max Age | Gender | Healthy Volunteers |
|---|---|---|---|
70 Years | N/A | Both | Yes |
Inclusion Criteria:
- No dementia
- Willing to participate in daily conversation using Internet/webcam with interviewers for 6 weeks
- Willing to monitor daily conversational amount using a digital recording device
- Willing informant who has frequent contact with the participant
Exclusion Criteria:
- Major illness or disabilities that interfere with using the audio/video technology
- Dementia
- Mini Mental State Examination score of less than 24 at screening
- Geriatric Depression Scale score of more than 4 at screening
Detailed Description:
Past epidemiological studies have demonstrated that larger social networks or more frequent social interactions could have potential protective effects against Alzheimer's disease. In this study, investigators will examine if face-to-face communication (30 minutes daily, 5 days per week for 6 weeks) will affect cognitive functions among the elderly. The conversations will be conducted through the use of personal computers, webcams, and user-friendly Internet programs that allow participants to have conversations while staying at home. Effects will be assessed at the third and sixth months after completion of the intervention. A placebo group will receive weekly phone calls to complete a health/social engagement monitoring survey but no active intervention. Daily conversational amount will be tracked using a digital recording device.
Locations:
| Map Marker | City | State | Zip Code | Status | Primary Contact | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Geolocation is 45.4874111, -122.6875541 | Oregon Health & Science University | Portland | Oregon | 97239 | Recruiting |
Lead Sponsor:
| Agency |
|---|
Oregon Health and Science University |
Collaborator Sponsor:
| Agency |
|---|
National Institute on Aging (NIA) |
Facility Investigators:
| Name | Role | Affiliation |
|---|---|---|
Hiroko Dodge | Principal Investigator | Oregon Health & Science University |
Study Contact:
| Name | Phone | |
|---|---|---|
Molly Bowman | (503) 494-6976 |
Locations
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT01571427 (follow link to view full record on ct.gov in new window)
Official Title:
Conversational Engagement as a Means to Delay Alzheimer's Disease Onset
Study Start Date:
February 2012
Study End Date:
June 2014
Disease Stage:
Pre-clinical
Early
Enrollment:
90
