In January 2021, the PRODEMOS randomised controlled trial began recruitment in the United Kingdom (UK). This trial studies the effectiveness and implementation of a coach-supported mobile health (mHealth) intervention to reduce dementia risk in people in the UK and China.
In this study, the PRODEMOS team (pictured) is investigating the effect of the use of a coach-supported, interactive mHealth platform, facilitating self-management of dementia risk factors in a total population of 2,400 participants. Participants are 55-75 years, are of low socio-economic status (UK) or from the general population (China), have ≥ 2 dementia risk factors, and use a smartphone. The main effectiveness outcome is change in dementia risk, measured with the CAIDE dementia risk score. Improvement of individual risk factors and cost-effectiveness will also be evaluated. Implementation outcomes include acceptability, adoption, feasibility, and sustainability of the intervention.
A six-week pilot of the project was conducted within the UK, in early 2020. The pilot study recruited 21 people and was evaluated through focus groups and individual interviews with pilot participants, coaches and research personnel. Based on their feedback the study logistics, the app and the platform were fine-tuned. A similar pilot study will be conducted, in March 2021, in China.
Alzheimer Europe (AE) is a partner in PRODEMOS, bringing its unique experience from three perspectives: Firstly, representing the patient perspective and bringing in extensive expertise in the field of qualitative research and ethical issues. Secondly, AE has a major impact on policymakers at the European level and can contribute to the efficient dissemination of the project’s results. Finally, AE contributes directly to the mHealth intervention, by writing news items on dementia risk reduction for the mHealth platform.
The trial is expected to be completed by the end of 2022 and the results will be published in an international peer-reviewed journal. The final aim of the PRODEMOS project is to implement the flexible, fully adaptable mHealth platform in a culturally appropriate form, in a range of healthcare settings across the globe.
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 779238 and the National Key R&D Programme of China (2017YFE0118800). Further information on the PRODEMOS project can be found here: https://www.prodemos-project.eu/
