Pilot Study Person-centred Tablet Intervention

Randomised Controlled Feasibility Study Into FindMyApps; First Evaluation of a Tablet Intervention to Promote Self-management and Meaningful Activities in People With Mild Dementia

First evaluation of FindMyApps, a tablet intervention consisting of a selection tool for usable apps for self-management and meaningful activities and a training that supports informal carers to help people with dementia to learn how to use the tablet and the tool.

Testing the feasibility and mechanism of impact of FindMyApps, a tablet intervention consisting of a selection tool to help persons with dementia find usable apps for self-management and meaningful activities and a training that supports informal carers to employ errorless learning principles to help people with dementia to learn how to use the tablet and the tool.

An exploratory pilot randomized controlled trial was carried out with a mixed-methods design. Twenty persons with mild dementia and carer dyads were randomly assigned to the FindMyApps group (n = 10) that used the FindMyApps training and selection tool, or a control condition that just got a tablet (n = 10). After informal carers had received the training, the dyads in the experimental group started with the three-month intervention. Pre and post-test measurements consisted of questionnaires and post-test semi-structured interviews.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Eligible dyads had to be community dwelling.
• Persons with dementia had Mild Cognitive Impairment or mild dementia with a score of 3 to 4 on the Global Deterioration Scale (GDS; 45), with or without a confirmed diagnosis.
• Availability of an informal carer or volunteer to provide support.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Participation in another intervention trial
• Severe visual and/or physical impairment.