Clinical Research Directory

iCare4Me Transitions

The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to examine the effect of a virtual face-to-face health coach intervention to improve self-care among caregivers of hospitalized older adults during care transitions compared to web-based resource information alone to determine the effectiveness of each intervention. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. compare the efficacy of the virtual health coaching intervention vs. web-based information alone in improving self-care in caregivers of hospitalized community-dwelling older adults with multiple chronic conditions (MCCs) who transition from hospital to home, 2. compare outcomes among Black/African American and White caregivers who receive the intervention vs. digital health information alone, and 3. explore the estimated the cost of the interventions and acute care resource use among patients of caregivers who received virtual intervention vs. digital health information alone. Participants who enroll will agree to enroll will: * be randomly assigned to either the health information group or the health coaching intervention plus health information group for six months, and * be asked to complete a baseline interview, a check-in call at one month post-hospital discharge, and two follow-up interviews at 3- and 6-months after enrollment. Researchers will compare the two groups of caregivers on the following outcomes: self-care, caregiver self-efficacy (aka confidence), coping, stress, and health status.

Penn State Emergency Medicine CarES: Care-partner Evaluation and Sourcing in the Emergency Department

Care partners of people living with dementia often experience ongoing stress and unmet support needs. This study evaluates the feasibility of a low-intensity, supportive education and resource intervention for care partners who previously participated in an observational study. Participants complete a baseline phone interview and a short stress journaling activity, followed by a six-week series of automated educational and supportive messages delivered by text message or email. Participants may also take part in an optional peer support focus group. The study examines caregiver stress, resilience, engagement with resources, and participant feedback to inform future caregiver support interventions.

Comparing Structured Retrieval Practice and Reading-Based Education for Dementia Caregivers

Caring for a person living with dementia can be stressful, and many family caregivers report limited access to effective educational resources for managing dementia-related behaviors and caregiver stress. This study will evaluate a learning-based educational intervention called structured retrieval practice (SRP), which is designed to improve long-term learning by encouraging repeated recall of information with feedback. Informal dementia caregivers will be randomly assigned to learn caregiving and self-care strategies using either SRP or a traditional reading-based educational approach. Participants will be assessed on their knowledge, confidence in caregiving skills, stress levels, and perceptions of dementia-related behavioral symptoms over multiple follow-up periods. The study will also examine whether the SRP intervention is feasible and acceptable for caregivers in real-world settings.

Tele-Savvy for Latino Caregivers

Latino caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias experience high levels of stress burden and depressive symptoms and are underrepresented in caregiver intervention research. Tele Savvy is an evidence based caregiver education program that focuses on developing caregiver mastery skills. This study aims to culturally adapt the Tele Savvy intervention for Latino caregivers and evaluate its preliminary efficacy in a Stage 1b single arm clinical trial. The intervention is delivered remotely and includes weekly group sessions and asynchronous instructional videos. Primary outcomes focus on caregiver mastery with secondary outcomes including stress burden depressive symptoms and self efficacy.

Tech-based Respite Care for Caregivers and Homebound Older Adults

The goal of this study is to examine the effectiveness of VR-based respite in improving cognitive function, mental health, and quality of life in caregivers and homebound older adults compared to a control group using videos and a usual care group. Participants are randomly assigned to one of three groups: VR intervention, video control, or usual care. The VR group receives immersive VR sessions using the SilVR Adventures platform. The video group receives non-immersive video sessions with similar content. The usual care group receives no additional intervention. Assessments are conducted at baseline, immediate post-intervention, and 3 months post-intervention to measure changes in depression, anxiety, loneliness, quality of life, and other outcomes. The intervention dosage will be 4 weeks (1 sessions/week; 30 min/session). Secondarily, the study explores differences in effectiveness between caregivers and homebound older adults, and potential moderators or mediators such as baseline health status, technological literacy, and social support.

Evaluating the Effectiveness and Implementation of Caregiver Support Initiatives for Caregivers of Older Patients in Singapore

We are evaluating the caregiver support initiatives at a tertiary hospital in Singapore (Tan Tock Seng Hospital - TTSH) provided to caregivers caring for older patients. The evaluation will focus on 1) evaluating the process / delivery / implementation of these initiatives to caregivers and 2) the outcomes of caregivers and their care recipients after receiving these caregiver support services at TTSH. Research questions are as follows: Process evaluation: 1. How are the bundle(s) of caregiver support initiatives at TTSH delivered to caregivers? 2. What and how was impact achieved for these initiatives? Outcome evaluation: 3. Did caregivers (and patients) benefit from these support initiatives and how? 4. Which aspects of the caregiver support initiatives are most beneficial to caregivers (and patients)? Eligible caregivers will be invited to take part in the study and to complete 3 surveys and an optional interview over the period of their care recipients' hospital stay at TTSH, and 2 months after discharge. During their care recipients' stay, they may be introduced to any of the caregiver support initiatives, based on their needs. Caregivers enrolled in this study will take part in 3 surveys - 1 conducted at the beginning of care recipients' hospital stay, 1 conducted around the discharge period and 1 conducted one month after discharge. The aim of the surveys is to find out if caregivers have attended or used any of these services and whether they benefited from them.

A Study of Caregiver Connections Via Technology in Dementia

This research is being done to develop a unique matching process for caregivers of persons living with dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease, Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal degeneration, or other dementia syndromes. Dementia caregivers often assume greater caregiving burden than do non-dementia caregivers, and the caregiving duration tends to be longer. Many caregivers do not have the adequate support they need. Peer-to-peer support has been shown to improve quality of life, more engagement with services, improve caregiver health, and reduce hospitalizations in the person they are caring for. This study will help determine whether caregivers of persons with dementia would find a technology-based caregiver matching program valuable for the purpose of emotional support.

A Multi-Site Hybrid Type I Effectiveness-Implementation Randomized Trial of an Emergency Care Action Plan for Infants With Medical Complexity

Infants with medical complexity (IMC) are a challenging population with more emergency department visits, inpatient stays, and higher healthcare costs than other children. IMC also experience lower quality emergency health care. The PI and team propose to adapt and put into place an emergency care action plan (ECAP) for IMC across four US hospitals, working directly with medical providers and families in each setting. After the tool is made available to providers and families, the PI and team will measure if the ECAP tool helps decrease the number of hospitalizations (primary research outcome) for IMC, as well as if the ECAP is feasible, acceptable, and useable for those using the ECAP over a one-year period.

Collaborative Approach to Examining Adversity and Building Resilience Study

To examine the behavioral, psychosocial, and biologic impact of resilience-promoting interventions associated with primary care.

Horticultural Activities Among the People with Dementia and Their Family Caregivers

The goal of this study is to explore the effects of technology-enhanced horticultural activities on people with dementia (PWD) and their family caregivers. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Do these activities improve cognitive function and behavioral symptoms in PWD? * Do they reduce stress and depressive symptoms in caregivers and improve their quality of life? The study will have two phases: * Phase I: Conduct a pilot study with PWD in a geriatric day hospital to evaluate feasibility and initial effects. * Phase II: Conduct a larger trial with PWD and caregivers in community settings to further assess impact. Participants will engage in indoor horticultural activities using a smart grower, participate in training sessions, and complete assessments before and after the intervention.

Self-Care Training for Family Caregivers of Persons With Neurodegeneration

The purpose of this study is to assess whether an 8-week mindfulness program enhances psychological well-being (e.g., stress, depressive symptoms), biological indicators of stress (e.g., inflammation), and cognitive function (e.g., attentional ability) in primary family caregivers of persons with dementia or a related neurodegenerative disease. A total of 232 primary family caregivers aged 50+ years of age will be recruited for this study and randomized to one of three groups: mindfulness meditation (MM), psychoeducation (PSY) or caregiver respite (CR). All participants will complete three testing sessions: baseline (pre-intervention \[T1\]), post 8-week follow-up (post-intervention, \[T2\]), and 12-month follow-up (T3).