Recruiting

Smart Virtual Reminiscence

Sponsor:

Indiana University

Code:

NCT07499570

Conditions

Mild Cognitive Impairment

Dementia

BPSD

BPSD (Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia)

Reminiscence Therapy

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 65+

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Interventions

Smart Virtual Reminiscence Therapy

Music Therapy

Study Details

Brief summary:

The purpose of this study is to test the usefulness and the effect of Smart Virtual Reminiscence (SVR) therapy intervention on the Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) of patients with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD).

SVR is designed to help older adults improve their psychological well-being and cognition. This research supports our long-term goal of designing and implementing intelligent interactive systems to improve the health of individuals with ADRD.

Conditions

Mild Cognitive Impairment

Dementia

BPSD

BPSD (Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia)

Reminiscence Therapy

Study ID

NCT07499570

Start date

Sep 3, 2025

Status verified date

May, 2026

Completion date

Mar 1, 2027

Anticipated

Primary completion date

Mar 1, 2027

Anticipated

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 65+

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

For the patient:

Inclusion criteria:

  • age ≥ 65 years
  • diagnosis of MCI (mild cognitive impairment) or mild ADRD
  • access to a reliable internet connection
  • community-dwelling
  • elevated behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), indicated by a HABC (Healthy Aging Brain Care) monitor score above 14 on caregiver report or self report (indicating elevated levels of BPSD)
  • presence of one or more specific BPSD behaviors (e.g., agitation, anxiety, depression, apathy, or sleep disturbances)
  • ability to consent for themselves.

Exclusion criteria:

  • lives in an assisted living facility or nursing home
  • has moderate to severe ADRD as measured by the Quick Dementia Rating System
  • has a life expectancy of less than 6 months.

For the care partner:

Inclusion criteria:

  • ≥ 21 years old
  • self-identified care partner (e.g., is knowledgeable about the patient's daytime and nighttime behaviors) of a community-dwelling patient diagnosed with MCI or mild ADRD who will also participate in the study

Exclusion criteria:

  • has MCI or dementia
  • has a severe mental illness or substance abuse
  • has a life expectancy of less than 6 months.

Study Design

Enrollment

60 participants

Anticipated

Allocation

Randomized

Intervention Model

Parallel Assignment

Primary purpose

Treatment

Interventions and Outcome Measures

Arms

active comparator: Patient Music Therapy

Patient listens to Youtube playlist

experimental: Smart Virtual Reminiscence Therapy

Patient uses Smart Virtual Reminiscence Therapy

Interventions

Smart Virtual Reminiscence Therapy

SVR Therapy is delivered through a computer program that can be accessed using a personal computer or smart device. It uses virtual reality, automated speech recognition, and large language models to achieve virtual therapist-patient interaction. The SVR therapy platform also automatically sources multi-modal reminiscence materials (e.g., images, text, etc.) through search engines and databases to facilitate the reminiscence therapy sessions.

Each participant will participate in two 25-60 min (depending on content) sessions/week across 12 weeks. Each session will include multiple trials of reminiscence, such as music, sports, arts, etc. Each trial takes about 10 minutes to finish. The exact number of trials finished will depend on each patient's speed, preference, and how long they engage in the interaction with the SVR system. The participants can take breaks as needed.

Music Therapy

Participants in the attention control group will receive a curated playlist of calming music that they need to listen to twice a week for 12 weeks. The music can be conveniently accessed online (e.g., through YouTube).

Primary outcome measure

  • Reduction in BPSD as measured by the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) total score [ Time Frame: Baseline and Month 3 ]
  • Rate of all-cause hospitalizations and emergency visits during the study period [ Time Frame: Baseline through study completion, approximately 3 months ]

Central Contacts and Locations

Central contacts

Katrina Coppedge, BA

317-278-1602kcoppedg@iu.edu

Locations

Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital

Recruiting

Indianapolis, Indiana, United States, 46202

Contacts

Katrina Coppedge

317-278-1602kcoppedg@iu.edu

Principal Investigator:

Malaz Boustani, MD,MPH

More Information

Sponsor

Indiana University

Last update posted

May 6, 2026

Last verified

May, 2026

Trial information was received from ClinicalTrials.gov and was last updated on 2026-09-09. This information was provided to ClinicalTrials.gov by Indiana University on 2026-05-06.