PRODEMOS - RCT
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Prevention of Dementia using Mobile phone Applications (PRODEMOS): A randomised implementation trial
IRAS ID
257091
Contact name
Carol Brayne
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Clinical School, University of Cambridge
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN15986016
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 6 months, 0 days
Research summary
Approximately a third of all dementia cases may be the result of an unhealthy lifestyle and high blood pressure. People living in disadvantaged areas have an increased risk of developing dementia. A healthier lifestyle, including eating a healthier diet and becoming more physically active, can provide an opportunity to decrease the risk of developing dementia.
It is suggested that an easy-to-use smartphone application (app) with remote support of a health coach could tailor health information to the individual, and support positive lifestyle behaviour change. This way, people who would otherwise be unable or unwilling to access formal healthcare services could get support to improve their lifestyle and reduce their risk of developing dementia.
Our PRevention Of DEmentia using MObile phone applicationS (PRODEMOS) project, funded by the European Union, will investigate whether an interactive app with support from a health coach will be effective in helping people aged 55-75 years reduce their risk of developing dementia. The app was developed in collaboration with people living in deprived areas of the UK.
Our pilot study (which commenced in November 2019), is helping us to refine our intervention and procedures to maximise the potential effectiveness of this larger-scale trial, commencing in March 2020.
We will recruit 1200 participants from deprived areas within two Clinical Research Network (CRN) areas (Kent, Surrey, and Sussex and Eastern). This study will also be conducted in Beijing, China.
Half the participants will use the app with health coach support, the other half will have access to the app, but not coach support. At the end of 18 months, we will measure everyone's dementia risk to see whether their health outcomes have improved.
We are seeking ethical approval for the UK arm of the intervention only. (China will not have access to participant information or raw data from the UK arm of the trial).
REC name
London - Brighton & Sussex Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/LO/0144
Date of REC Opinion
3 Apr 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion