Recruiting

Health App Recommendation Tool

Sponsor:

University of Pittsburgh

Code:

NCT07216716

Conditions

Alzheimers Disease Related Dementias

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18 - 65

Healthy Volunteers: Accepted

Interventions

Health App Recommendation Tool (HART)

Study Details

Brief summary:

This study aims to assess the effectiveness of the Health App Recommendation Tool (HART), an evidence-based tool that evaluates app features and matches them to the needs, abilities, and preferences of individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) or their caregivers. This novel tool is not an app in and of itself, but rather an assessment tool used to determine how well suited a given app is for a member of the ADRD or caregiver population.

Specifically, the objective of this research is to assess the acceptability of the current HART design among target end-users in their individual contexts. The overarching goal of this project is to connect those in the ADRD community with available, usable, and effective digital tools to promote the highest possible level of health and wellness in community settings.

To achieve this goal, the study will recruit 15 family caregivers living with their loved ones with ADRD, who will trial HART and provide feedback. Participation will include two data collection sessions (pre-intervention and post-intervention) within a four-week trial period. Participants will be asked to complete the HART, explore the recommended apps, and provide feedback on HART's usability through several brief surveys.

Conditions

Alzheimers Disease Related Dementias

Study ID

NCT07216716

Start date

Dec 5, 2025

Status verified date

Aug, 2026

Completion date

Nov 30, 2026

Anticipated

Primary completion date

Sep 30, 2026

Anticipated

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18 - 65

Healthy Volunteers: Accepted

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Aged between 18 and 65
  • Serving as an active caregiver for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia
  • Have access to smart devices such as smartphones, tablets, or smartwatches

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Individuals with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia, or with severe cognitive decline, will be excluded
  • Participants who do not provide caregiving on a routine basis (e.g., part-time or secondary caregivers) will be excluded
  • Participants who do not own or have access to any smart device will be excluded

Study Design

Enrollment

15 participants

Anticipated

Intervention Model

Single group

Primary purpose

Supportive Care

Interventions and Outcome Measures

Arms

experimental: HART Use

After providing consent, participants will complete baseline surveys via REDCap, followed by a 35-minute virtual onboarding session on Microsoft Teams. During onboarding, participants will learn about the Health App Recommendation Tool (HART) and create a profile. Using an algorithm, HART matches participant needs with health apps, displaying the top three to four recommendations. Study staff will record these apps and provide download guidance. No app data will be shared with the team. Participants may use the apps as they choose over a four-week period. Afterward, follow-up assessments will be sent via REDCap, including WHOQoL, SF-36, PHQ-4, ZBI, Global Fatigue Index, and Davis Usability Surveys. Both baseline and follow-up surveys take about 35 minutes to complete.

Interventions

Health App Recommendation Tool (HART)

In 2023, over 11 million family members provided 19.2 billion hours of unpaid care for people with dementia in the U.S. Caregivers face significant physical and emotional challenges, while many individuals with ADRD prefer to stay in their homes. Mobile health apps offer support but often lack user-friendly guidance and are hard to navigate.

The Health App Recommendation Tool (HART) bridges this gap by assisting ADRD caregivers in finding suitable health apps. It evaluates users' daily needs and preferences, using end-user informed points of measurement to match them with objectively reviewed apps within the HART App Library. This user-centered tool, shaped by ongoing feedback, simplifies app discovery, ensuring personalized recommendations that enhance caregiving and improve quality of life.

Primary outcome measure

  • World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) [ Time Frame: Baseline and 4 week follow-up ]
  • 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) [ Time Frame: Baseline and 4 week follow-up ]
  • Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4) [ Time Frame: Baseline and 4 week follow-up ]
  • Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) [ Time Frame: Baseline and 4 week follow-up ]
  • Global Fatigue Index (GFI) [ Time Frame: Baseline and 4 week follow-up ]

Central Contacts and Locations

Central contacts

Julie M Faieta, PhD, MOT

412-648-7792juf52@pitt.edu

Locations

University of Pittsburgh

Recruiting

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, 15203

Contacts

Daniel Fisher

412-383-6902dfisher@pitt.edu

More Information

Sponsor

University of Pittsburgh

Last update posted

Aug 6, 2026

Last verified

Aug, 2026

Keywords

  • Alzheimer's Disease
  • Dementia
  • Dementia Caregivers
  • Smart Technology
  • Assistive Technology

Trial information was received from ClinicalTrials.gov and was last updated on 2026-09-10. This information was provided to ClinicalTrials.gov by University of Pittsburgh on 2026-08-06.