I-CARE Rural Pilot: Brain CareNotes support for rural dementia caregivers
I-CARE-Rural Pilot: Remote Digital Intervention for Rural-Dwelling Dementia Caregivers
This project tests whether the Brain CareNotes smartphone app helps unpaid rural caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias reduce caregiver burden and manage behavioral symptoms.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Indiana University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Bloomington, Indiana) |
| Trial ID | NCT07054385 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
The I-CARE Rural Pilot randomizes up to 60 unpaid rural caregivers of community-dwelling people with ADRD to use the Brain CareNotes app or an attention-control education app for six months with usage reminders. Primary outcomes focus on feasibility, measured by caregiver-reported usability (10-item Simplified System Usability Scale) and acceptance (4-item Behavioral Intention questionnaire). Secondary outcomes estimate effects on caregiver burden and patient behavioral and psychological symptoms using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory at baseline, three, and six months, with exploratory measures including caregiver PHQ-9 scores and acute care utilization. The intervention is delivered via a mobile touchscreen app and targets rural participants defined by RUCA codes 4–10.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adult (≥18) unpaid primary caregivers who live in rural areas (RUCA codes 4–10), are English literate, provide care to a community-dwelling person diagnosed with ADRD, receive primary care, and can use a mobile touchscreen device.
Not a fit: Caregivers whose care recipients live permanently in nursing homes, who cannot use mobile touchscreen devices even after correction, or who are enrolled in conflicting trials are unlikely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the app could lower caregiver stress, improve management of behavioral symptoms in people with dementia, and reduce acute care visits.
How similar studies have performed: Previous digital and app-based caregiver support programs have shown mixed but generally promising results, with some trials reporting modest reductions in caregiver burden and improved symptom management.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Self-identified primary unpaid rural (RUCA Code of 4-10) caregiver of a person diagnosed with ADRD (at any stage) who are: * Receiving primary care and * Community-dwelling; * English literate; * Age ≥ 18 years Exclusion Criteria: * Care recipient is a permanent resident of an extended care facility (nursing home); * Involvement in another clinical trial that would prevent or interfere with study objectives; * Sensory or other impairment prohibiting the use of a mobile touchscreen device or other study activity (after correction)
Where this trial is running
Bloomington, Indiana
- Indiana University Bloomington — Bloomington, Indiana, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Jordan R Hill, PhD — Indiana University, Bloomington
- Study coordinator: Jordan R Hill, PhD
- Email: jrh6@iu.edu
- Phone: (812) 856-5032
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.