Pilot study to show the feasibility of a multicenter trial of home-based assessment of people over 75 years old

Mary Sano, Susan Egelko, Steven Ferris, Jeffrey Kaye, Tamara L. Hayes, James C. Mundt, Michael Donohue, Sarah Walter, Shelly Sun, Luis Sauceda-Cerda

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

This report describes a pilot study to evaluate feasibility of new home-based assessment technologies applicable to clinical trials for prevention of cognitive loss and Alzheimer disease. Methods: Community-dwelling nondemented individuals ≥75 years old were recruited and randomized to 1 of 3 assessment methodologies: (1) mail-in questionnaire/ live telephone interviews (MIP); (2) automated telephone with interactive voice recognition (IVR); and (3) internet-based computer Kiosk (KIO). Brief versions of cognitive and noncognitive outcomes were adapted to the different methodologies and administered at baseline and 1-month. An Efficiency measure, consisting of direct staff-to-participant time required to complete assessments, was also compared across arms. Results: Forty-eight out of 60 screened participants were randomized. The dropout rate across arms from randomization through 1-month was different: 33% for KIO, 25% for IVR, and 0% for MIP (Fisher Exact Test P=0.04). Nearly all participants who completed baseline also completed 1-month assessment (38 out of 39). The 1-way ANOVA across arms for total staff-to-participant direct contact time (ie, training, baseline, and 1-month) was significant: F (2,33)=4.588; P=0.017, with lowest overall direct time in minutes for IVR (Mn=44.4; SD=21.5), followed by MIP (Mn=74.9; SD=29.9), followed by KIO (Mn=129.4; SD=117.0). Conclusions: In this sample of older individuals, a higher dropout rate occurred in those assigned to the high-technology assessment techniques; however, once participants had completed baseline in all 3 arms, they continued participation through 1 month. High-technology home-based assessment methods, which do not require live testers, began to emerge as more time-efficient over the brief time of this pilot, despite initial time-intensive participant training.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)256-263
Number of pages8
JournalAlzheimer Disease and Associated Disorders
Volume24
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2010
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • alzheimer disease
  • home-based assessment
  • prevention trials

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Psychology
  • Gerontology
  • Geriatrics and Gerontology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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