MinderCare: Translational Research and Digitally Enabled Care
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Minder Translational Research & Digitally Enabled Care for Dementia (MinderCare)
IRAS ID
345123
Contact name
David James Sharp
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College London
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Many older adults who access long-term and acute care services have a diagnosis of neurodegenerative disease (e.g., dementia), which is a major risk factor for adverse health outcomes such as hospitalisation, loss of independence, and mortality. It is important to monitor these conditions to identify those most at risk of unplanned hospital admissions. Digital technologies provide new ways to research and deliver healthcare by offering continuous monitoring of activity, sleep, and physiology from home. We have developed a digital platform (the Minder Platform) which integrates information collected in the home via passive sensors and incorporates machine learning and data science technologies (the Minder smart home system) to support clinical decision-making. We are now ready to assess the feasibility of our system for people living with dementia (PLWD) within an integrated NHS/social care setting. We aim to recruit 100 people with confirmed or suspected dementia. The study will run for up to 2 years (with a possible extension if further funding secured, and submitted as an amendment), and we will aim to monitor participants for up to 12 months, with the option to extend their involvement or withdraw at this timepoint. This study adopts a mixed methods design and aims to:
- Deploy the Minder smart home system to monitor participants with dementia in their homes and deliver information and alerts relevant to their clinical and social care needs.
- Develop risk profiles for adverse clinical events, such as infections and neuropsychiatric complications of dementia.
- Provide a suite of algorithms designed to identify people at high risk of clinical deterioration that may lead to hospital admission or other clinical decline.
- Examine the impact of remote monitoring on PLWD, caregivers, and healthcare professionals, and better understand the mechanisms through which impact is delivered.REC name
North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 2 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/NE/0190
Date of REC Opinion
23 Dec 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion