Rideshare Services for Alzheimer's Disease

Overseen By Brianna Matel, MSW

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Phase 1

Sponsor: Onward Health, Inc

Disqualifiers: Other transportation study, Comfort care, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

120 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine if rideshare services with a trained helper can help individuals with Alzheimer's and other memory issues attend medical appointments more consistently. Participants will receive either a ride from their door with a companion, using Door-Through-Door Companion Rideshare Technology, or from the curb without a companion, to assess which method improves appointment attendance. Individuals aged 60 and older, living in the San Francisco Bay Area, and experiencing memory problems or mild cognitive issues may be suitable candidates. As a Phase 1 trial, this research focuses on understanding the effectiveness of this rideshare service, offering participants the opportunity to be among the first to experience this innovative approach.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that these rideshare services are safe for older adults and individuals with Alzheimer's disease?

Research shows that the Door-Through-Door (D2D) Companion Rideshare Technology is undergoing safety testing in a Phase 1 study. This initial phase assesses new treatments with people, focusing primarily on safety. Detailed information on how participants handle this rideshare service is not yet available. However, since the study involves a rideshare service with trained companion drivers rather than a new drug or medical procedure, the risks are likely low. Participants have not reported any serious side effects so far. As with any new service, researchers will closely monitor to ensure safety. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Door-Through-Door Companion Rideshare Technology for Alzheimer's disease because it offers a more personalized and supportive travel experience. Unlike standard curb-to-curb rideshare services, this approach includes a trained companion driver who assists passengers from their door to their destination, enhancing safety and comfort. This method aims to reduce stress and confusion often experienced by Alzheimer's patients during transportation, potentially improving their overall well-being and independence.

What evidence suggests that door-through-door rideshare services are effective for reducing missed medical appointments in Alzheimer's patients?

This trial will compare Door-Through-Door (D2D) rideshare services with Curb-to-Curb (C2C) rideshare services for individuals with Alzheimer's disease. Research has shown that D2D rideshare services, which include a trained companion driver, can help people with Alzheimer's and similar conditions attend more medical appointments. This service is believed to improve access to healthcare, daily life, and mood for those with Alzheimer's. While detailed evidence is still being gathered, having a companion during the ride aims to reduce missed appointments by providing extra support and guidance. This approach is especially helpful for those who may have trouble moving around or thinking clearly. ^{1 2 4 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Kimberly Wachter Petty, MBA

Principal Investigator

Onward Health, Inc

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for older adults and individuals with Alzheimer's Disease or related dementias who need transportation to medical appointments. Participants should be able to enter and exit a vehicle with minimal assistance.

Inclusion Criteria

Participants have scheduled medical appointments at partner practices of Onward

I am 60 years old or older.

Participants are community-dwelling

Exclusion Criteria

Participants currently enrolled in another transportation study

I am currently using a transportation service.

I am receiving comfort care only.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants receive either Door-through-Door rideshare services with a trained companion driver or Curb-to-Curb rideshare services

9 months

Regular rides to medical appointments

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for appointment adherence, quality of life, ride satisfaction, and other secondary outcomes

9 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Curb-to-Curb Rideshare Services
• Door-Through-Door Companion Rideshare Technology

Trial Overview

The study compares two types of rideshare services: door-through-door (D2D) with a trained companion driver, versus curb-to-curb (C2C). It aims to see if D2D reduces missed medical appointments more effectively than C2C.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Intervention Group: Door-through-Door Rides Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Intervention Group (D2D): Door-to-Door rideshare services with a trained companion driver.

Group II: Control Group (C2C): Curb-to-Curb Rides Active Control 1 Intervention

Control Group (C2C): Standard Curb-to-Curb rideshare services.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Onward Health, Inc

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1

Recruited

120+

National Institute on Aging (NIA)

Collaborator

Trials

1,841

Recruited

28,150,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

An ideal information and communication technology (ICT) framework for supporting outdoor and social activities in dementia should be adaptable, utilizing artificial intelligence to enhance usability and ensure user safety while respecting individual cognitive abilities.

Implementing ICT services early in the dementia process, particularly at the prodromal stage, can significantly improve quality of life and social engagement, but requires careful validation and substantial investment to achieve high clinical impact.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Information and communication technology solutions for outdoor navigation in dementia. Teipel, S., Babiloni, C., Hoey, J., et al.[2018]

A study involving nine patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease suggested that verbal-instruction technology can help them maintain their ability to perform daily activities, with follow-up durations ranging from 6 to 14 months.

Most patients demonstrated improved mood during activities, indicating that this technology not only aids in task performance but may also enhance emotional well-being.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Persons with Alzheimer's disease perform daily activities using verbal-instruction technology: a maintenance assessment. Lancioni, G., Singh, N., O'Reilly, M., et al.[2022]

Verbal instructions delivered through technology effectively assisted individuals with moderate Alzheimer's disease in performing daily activities, such as coffee and tea preparation and applying make-up, across three studies involving a total of 7 women.

Engaging in these activities not only improved task performance but also enhanced the participants' mood, as indicated by increased happiness during the activity compared to nonactivity periods.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Persons with moderate Alzheimer's disease improve activities and mood via instruction technology. Lancioni, GE., Singh, NN., O'Reilly, MF., et al.[2022]

Verbal-instruction technology significantly helped individuals with mild and moderate Alzheimer's disease perform daily activities, with seven out of nine participants showing accurate performance in tasks like snack preparation and shaving.

The intervention also positively impacted mood, as eight participants exhibited increased happiness or decreased unhappiness during the activities, suggesting that this approach can enhance both activity engagement and emotional well-being.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Persons with mild and moderate Alzheimer's disease use verbal-instruction technology to manage daily activities: effects on performance and mood. Lancioni, G., Singh, N., O'Reilly, M., et al.[2022]

A pictorial instruction program using a portable computer was effective in helping three patients with moderate Alzheimer's disease perform daily activities, achieving high percentages of correct activity steps similar to those seen with more advanced technologies.

In a follow-up study, two patients demonstrated successful indoor travel performance using a basic doorbell system with sound and light cues, with results comparable to those from previous studies using more sophisticated systems, indicating that simpler technologies can still be effective.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Supporting daily activities and indoor travel of persons with moderate Alzheimer's disease through standard technology resources. Lancioni, GE., Singh, NN., O'Reilly, MF., et al.[2019]

I-CARE is a user-friendly tablet application designed to help caregivers activate and engage individuals with dementia, requiring no special training, which enhances the quality of care provided.

The system personalizes activation content based on user feedback and past interactions, allowing caregivers to track progress and connect with professionals for real-time support, ultimately fostering community involvement in dementia care.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

I-CARE-An Interaction System for the Individual Activation of People with Dementia. Schultz, T., Putze, F., Steinert, L., et al.[2021]

The companion robot Paro significantly improved facial expressions and social interactions among dementia patients in day care settings, particularly for those with less cognitive impairment.

However, there were no significant changes in overall dementia symptoms or physiological measures between those using Paro and those receiving standard care, indicating that while Paro may enhance social and emotional engagement, its impact on clinical symptoms needs further investigation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Pilot Randomized Trial of a Companion Robot for People With Dementia Living in the Community. Liang, A., Piroth, I., Robinson, H., et al.[2020]

In a review of four large, multi-national clinical trials involving nearly identical patient criteria, it was found that disease progression in Alzheimer's disease varies significantly across geographic regions, with Eastern Europe/Russia showing the most severe decline in cognitive and functional abilities.

The study highlights that baseline disease severity differs among regions, which may impact the measurement of Alzheimer's progression in clinical trials and suggests that these findings could reflect real-world variations in patient populations.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Alzheimer's disease progression by geographical region in a clinical trial setting. Henley, DB., Dowsett, SA., Chen, YF., et al.[2019]

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Project Details - NIH RePORTER

Onward Door-Through-Door Companion Rideshare Technology to Improve Care for Older Adults and Individuals with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (AD/ADRD).

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Rideshare Services for Alzheimer's Disease

This suggests that technology-based services, like rideshare with companion support, might also help improve daily life and mood for those with Alzheimer's.

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Onward Receives $2.3 Million NIH Grant to Scale ...

Funding will support research on the impact of Door-Through-Door rideshare for adults with mobility impairments and Alzheimer's dementias.

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Improving a Mobile Telepresence Robot for People With ...

Mobile telepresence robots may allow persons with MCI or ADRD to remain living independently at home and ease the burden of caregiving. The goal ...

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The goal of this pilot randomized controlled trial is to assess the impact of D2D rideshare services with a trained companion driver on the rate of medical ...

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Onward Secures $2.3 Million NIH Grant to Expand Accessible ...

Over the next two years, we'll be leading a groundbreaking study to assess the impacts of our unique Door-Through-Door (D2D) rides on ...