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Function Focused Care for Dementia

N/A

Waitlist Available

Led By Barbara Resnick, PhD

Research Sponsored by University of Maryland, Baltimore

Eligibility Criteria Checklist

Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial

Must have

Patients admitted onto a medical unit for any medical diagnosis

Patients admitted into the hospital from any setting during the 12 month implementation period

Must not have

Patients with a major acute psychiatric disorder, or significant neurological condition associated with cognition other than dementia

Timeline

Screening 3 weeks

Treatment Varies

Follow Up number of er visits in the 1st month post discharge; number of er visits between the 1st month to 6th month post discharge; number of er visits between 6th and 12th months post discharge

Summary

This trial is testing the efficacy of a new approach to care for older adults with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) that encourages physical activity during hospitalization. The new approach, called Function Focused Care for Acute Care (FFC-AC-EIT), is being tested against standard care (Function Focused Care Education Only, or EO) in 12 hospitals. The primary outcomes being measured are physical activity, function, and participation in function focused care.

Who is the study for?

This trial is for hospitalized patients aged 55 or older who have dementia, as indicated by certain test scores and functional impairment. They must be newly admitted to a medical unit and not enrolled in hospice, anticipating surgery, or dealing with major psychiatric or significant neurological conditions other than dementia.

What is being tested?

The study tests Function Focused Care for Acute Care (FFC-AC-EIT), which encourages physical activity among older adults with dementia during hospital stays. It compares this approach against basic function-focused care education in hospitals across Maryland and Pennsylvania.

What are the potential side effects?

Since the intervention focuses on increasing physical activity through nursing care rather than medication, traditional side effects are not expected. However, there may be risks associated with increased activity such as fatigue or falls.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below

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I am currently admitted to a hospital for a medical condition.

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I have been admitted to the hospital at least once in the last year.

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I am 55 years old or older.

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:

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I do not have a major psychiatric disorder or significant neurological condition affecting my thinking, other than dementia.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~ number of er visits in the 1st month post discharge; number of er visits between the 1st month to 6th month post discharge; number of er visits between 6th and 12th months post discharge

Screening ~ 3 weeks

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~number of er visits in the 1st month post discharge; number of er visits between the 1st month to 6th month post discharge; number of er visits between 6th and 12th months post discharge

This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and number of er visits in the 1st month post discharge; number of er visits between the 1st month to 6th month post discharge; number of er visits between 6th and 12th months post discharge for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.

Primary study objectives

Barthel Index

Delirium Rating Scale

Motionwatch8 data

+5 more

Secondary study objectives

Emergency room (ER) visits

Falls

hospitalizations

+1 more

Trial Design

2Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Placebo Group

Group I: FFC-AC-EITExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

The stakeholder team will meet with the research nurse facilitator to review the details of the 12 month intervention and identify unit goals. The research nurse facilitator will then work with the identified champion for 10 hours weekly during months one and two and then for four hours weekly starting in month three for a total of 12 months to implement Steps 1 to 4 of FFC-AC-EIT \[(1) Environment and Policy Assessments; (2) Education; (3) Establishing Patient Goals; and (4) Mentoring and Motivating of Staff, Patients and Families\]. The stakeholder team will meet with the Research Nurse Facilitator monthly to review progress. In addition to monthly visits, weekly emails containing motivational Tidbits will be sent to all stakeholder team members within the cohort. The Tidbits include such things as updates about benefits of engaging patients with ADRD in physical activity while hospitalized.

Group II: Education OnlyPlacebo Group1 Intervention

Education Only (EO) Control Intervention: Hospitals randomized to EO will be provided with an in-service for nursing staff on function focused care in patients with ADRD by an EO Research Nurse Facilitator using our developed PowerPoint presentations in 30-minute sessions as is currently done in usual practice.

0 / 4Eligibility criteria met