Health App Recommendation Tool to help dementia caregivers find suitable health apps.
Official title: Evaluating the Effectiveness of the Health App Recommendation Tool
Run by University of Pittsburgh · NCT07216716 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will try the Health App Recommendation Tool (HART) with family caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias to see if it helps them find and use helpful health apps.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 15 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Pittsburgh Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | December 5, 2025 |
| Main results expected | September 30, 2026 |
| Study ends | November 30, 2026 |
| Registry record updated | October 8, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07216716 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal participants are primary family caregivers aged 18–65 who live with and routinely care for a person with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia and who own or have access to a smartphone, tablet, or smartwatch.
✕Probably not a fit
People with Alzheimer's disease or severe cognitive decline, part-time or secondary caregivers, and anyone without access to smart devices are unlikely to benefit from this pilot.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This pilot will recruit 15 family caregivers who live with and routinely care for someone with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia to test HART's acceptability and usability in real-world settings. HART collects brief information about needs, accessibility, supports, and technology skills, then uses a matching algorithm against a library of objectively reviewed health apps to generate personalized recommendations. Participants will trial recommended apps and provide structured feedback on fit, usability, and usefulness. The focus is on refining the tool and understanding how well it connects caregivers with appropriate digital resources rather than measuring clinical outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, HART could help caregivers quickly find usable, relevant health apps that support their wellbeing and caregiving tasks.
How similar studies have gone: App-recommendation and assistive-technology matching approaches have shown promise in other groups, but using a systematic tool like HART specifically for dementia caregivers is relatively novel, with preliminary HART evaluations showing encouraging results.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Aged between 18 and 65 * Serving as an active caregiver for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia * Have access to smart devices such as smartphones, tablets, or smartwatches Exclusion Criteria: * Individuals with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia, or with severe cognitive decline, will be excluded * Participants who do not provide caregiving on a routine basis (e.g., part-time or secondary caregivers) will be excluded * Participants who do not own or have access to any smart device will be excluded
Where it's running
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University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Julie M Faieta, PhD, MOT — University of Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Julie M Faieta, PhD, MOT
- Email: juf52@pitt.edu
- Phone: 412-648-7792
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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.