BrainLive Connect: Volunteer-led Cognitive Stimulation Therapy for people living with dementia
Official title: BrainLive Connect: Non-professional Delivered Cognitive Stimulation Therapy for People Living With Dementia
Run by The University of Hong Kong · NCT07531589 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will try 7 weeks of volunteer-led Cognitive Stimulation Therapy to see if it helps people with mild to moderate dementia improve thinking and quality of life compared with usual care.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 520 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | The University of Hong Kong Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Hong Kong) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | March 31, 2026 |
| Main results expected | November 10, 2027 |
| Study ends | November 10, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | April 21, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07531589 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal participants are Hong Kong residents with mild to moderate dementia (formally diagnosed or suspected and screened by MoCA) who have a primary family carer and can communicate and take part in group sessions.
✕Probably not a fit
People with severe sensory impairments or advanced dementia who cannot participate in sessions or interviews are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This is a non-randomized controlled trial comparing a 7-week volunteer-delivered Cognitive Stimulation Therapy program (BrainLive Connect) with usual care in people living with dementia. The study will enroll about 260 participants into the BrainLive group and 260 into a care-as-usual control group, with outcome measurements at baseline, post-intervention (7 weeks), and one-month follow-up (11 weeks). Primary outcomes are cognitive function and quality of life, with secondary outcomes including behavioral symptoms, social functioning, carer burden, daily functioning, and preference for ageing-in-place. The design includes mixed methods with semi-structured interviews after the intervention to capture implementation feedback from participants and carers.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could help maintain or improve cognition and quality of life for people with mild to moderate dementia while providing a scalable, volunteer-delivered support option.
How similar studies have gone: Group Cognitive Stimulation Therapy has shown benefits for cognition and quality of life in prior trials, while volunteer-delivered versions have been less extensively tested but appear promising.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: PLwD: Hong Kong residents, mild to moderate dementia, either having i) a formal diagnosis, or 2) suspected dementia reported by care professionals and screened by Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Family carers: self-identified as the primary carer of the PLwD. Exclusion Criteria: Unable to communicate and participate in interviews/training/intervention due to hearing impairment, visual impairment, or other conditions.
Where it's running
-
The University of Hong Kong
Hong Kong, Hong Kong Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Shiyu LU — The University of Hong Kong
- Study coordinator: JACKY CP CHOY, PhD
- Email: cpchoy@hku.hk
- Phone: +852 39170079
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.