SUNAM Protocol for Managing BPSD in Long-Term Care Residents
Official title: The Effectiveness of the Systematic Unmet Needs Assessment and Management (SUNAM) Protocol on Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Institutionalized Residents With Dementia
Run by Mackay Medical College · NCT07041034 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A program called SUNAM is being tested to see if it helps caregivers better identify and address unmet needs to reduce behavioral and psychological symptoms in people with dementia living in long-term care.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 65 Years to 110 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 120 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Mackay Medical College Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (New Taipei City and 1 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | December 20, 2025 |
| Main results expected | December 30, 2026 |
| Study ends | March 31, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | June 8, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07041034 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Residents with dementia living in participating long-term care facilities who have consent from their legal representative.
✕Probably not a fit
Residents with dementia who do not have unmet needs driving BPSD, or those who cannot benefit from caregiver-focused interventions.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This cluster-randomized trial compares standard BPSD training (education plus VR simulation) with an enhanced training that adds SUNAM Protocol instruction. The SUNAM protocol uses an algorithm to identify unmet needs contributing to BPSD and guides management strategies. Researchers measure changes in BPSD frequency, unmet needs, and how often BPSD is assessed over time across multiple facilities. Data collected include demographics, Barthel Index, and MMSE scores to understand outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, SUNAM could help caregivers reduce BPSD by addressing underlying unmet needs, improving resident well-being and care quality.
How similar studies have gone: Previous approaches addressing unmet needs in BPSD have shown promise, but this exact SUNAM protocol is a novel, structured algorithm-based intervention.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosed with dementia or documented as having dementia in medical records. * Currently residing in the long-term care facility. Exclusion Criteria: * Diagnosed with schizophrenia. * The resident's legal representative does not provide consent for participation.
Where it's running
-
Guang-En Senior Care Center
New Taipei City, Taiwan Recruiting -
Guang-En Senior Care Center
New Taipei City, Taiwan Enrolling by invitation
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Yi-Heng C, PhD — Mackay Medical University
- Study coordinator: Yi-Heng Chen, PhD
- Email: yiheng@mmc.edu.tw
- Phone: +886-2-26360303 Ext. 1320
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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.