Technologies 2018, 6(1), 33; https://doi.org/10.3390/technologies6010033
Technology-Supported Group Activity to Promote Communication in Dementia: A Protocol for a Within-Participants Study†
Sarah K. Smith 1,*
and Arlene J. Astell 2,3,4
and Arlene J. Astell 2,3,4
1
Interdisciplinary Centre of the Social Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S1 4DP, UK
2
Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences, Whitby, ON L1N 5S9, Canada
3
Occupational Therapy & occupational Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A1, Canada
4
Berkshire Memory & Cognition Research Centre, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6AH, UK
†
This paper is an extended version of our paper published in AAATE2017 Congress Proceedings, Sheffield, UK, 13–14 September 2017.
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 24 January 2018 / Revised: 27 February 2018 / Accepted: 6 March 2018 / Published: 12 March 2018
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from AAATE2017 Congress)
Abstract
Computer Interactive Reminiscence and Conversation Aid (CIRCA)is an interactive conversation support for people living with dementia. CIRCA facilitates one-to-one conversations and caregiving relationships in formal care environments. Originally developed as a standalone device, a new web-based version of CIRCA has been created to increase availability. The potential of CIRCA to support group activities and conversation between people living with dementia and a facilitator has not previously been explored. The two objectives of this study are (i) to validate the new web-based version of CIRCA against the original standalone device, and (ii) to explore the efficacy of CIRCA in supporting group activity for people with dementia in a formal care setting. This mixed-methods study comprises two parts: (i) an eight-session group activity using the CIRCA stand-alone device, and (ii) an eight-session group activity using the web-based CIRCA. One hundred and eighty people with dementia will be recruited: 90 for part (i) and 90 for part (ii). Measures of cognition and quality of life will be taken at the baseline, post-CIRCA intervention, and three months later, plus video recordings of the group sessions. Both parts of the study will be completed by June 2018. The study will provide evidence on two issues: (i) a validation of the new web-based version of CIRCA, and (ii) the suitability of CIRCA to support group activities in formal care settings for people living with dementia. This protocol is an extended version of the short paper presented at the AAATE 2017 conference and published in Studies in Health Technology & Informatics. View Full-TextKeywords:
dementia; psychosocial; Computer Interactive Reminiscence and Conversation Aid (CIRCA); technology
▼
Figures
Figure 1
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited (CC BY 4.0).
Share & Cite This Article
MDPI and ACS Style
Smith, S.K.; Astell, A.J. Technology-Supported Group Activity to Promote Communication in Dementia: A Protocol for a Within-Participants Study. Technologies 2018, 6, 33.
Note that from the first issue of 2016, MDPI journals use article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.
Related Articles
Article Metrics
Comments
[Return to top]
Technologies
EISSN 2227-7080
Published by MDPI AG, Basel, Switzerland
RSS
E-Mail Table of Contents Alert