Enhancing Lives Through Technology (ELTT)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Enhancing Lives Through Technology: An Occupational Therapy early intervention programme, using voice controlled intelligent assistants for older adults with mild cognitive impairment, early dementia, anxiety and depression – a feasibility study
IRAS ID
300955
Contact name
Kay Cooper
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Robert Gordon University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 22 days
Research summary
We propose a study to test the feasibility and acceptability of “Enhancing Lives Through Technology” (ELTT). ELTT is an Occupational Therapy (OT) early intervention programme, developed in NHS Grampian, for older adults with mild cognitive impairment, early dementia, anxiety, and/or depression. It is a 10-week programme consisting of an OT assessment followed by weekly sessions with older adults using a voice-controlled intelligent assistant (e.g. Amazon Alexa) to help them with strategies and routines to help them to live independently despite changes in memory or mood.
Older adults who are referred to OT and fulfil the criteria for ELTT will be invited to take part. They will provide informed consent and complete questionnaires on their health status and wellbeing. They will then receive the ELTT programme. At the end of the 10-week programme they will complete the same questionnaires, and will be invited to take part in a 1-1 interview exploring their experiences of ELTT and of using the intelligent assistant. Finally, 3-months after completing ELTT, they will be invited to complete the health and wellbeing questionnaires once more.
OTs who deliver the ELTT programme will be invited to take part in a focus group to explore their experiences of delivering the intervention.
The findings will be used to refine the ELTT intervention in preparation for testing its effectiveness in a future study.REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Bradford Leeds Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/YH/0304
Date of REC Opinion
7 Feb 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion