AQUA

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    AQUA: An open label Acceptability and feasibility trial of ‘Jelly Drops™’ for hydration and QUAlity of care for people with dementia

  • IRAS ID

    357387

  • Contact name

    Kevin Williamson

  • Contact email

    kevin.williamson@nhs.net

  • Sponsor organisation

    Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    1 years, 6 months, 29 days

  • Research summary

    Jelly Drops™ are made up mainly of water (95%) and minerals. They are sugar free and vegan and were developed to increase fluid intake for those with dementia. They have been developed by a private company in the UK and are currently on general sale within the UK and other countries. They are suitable for those with diabetes, are listed as an item of confectionery and are not classed as a nutritional supplement.

    The purpose of this study is to see whether a) Jelly Drops™ is an acceptable tool to patients and their families as a way to help them stay hydrated and b) it is feasible to collect all the data needed to properly test Jelly Drops™ as a means of hydration in a future randomised controlled trial.

    We hope to do a bigger study in future with more people to test whether Jelly Drops™ can effectively hydrate people. If the study is successful, this research could help to improve patient care and improve some of the issues caused by lack of hydration for those living with dementia within Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH).

  • REC name

    Wales REC 1

  • REC reference

    26/WA/0046

  • Date of REC Opinion

    21 Apr 2026

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion