DementiaSTRENGTH-BNCT07037550
Effectiveness of Strength-based Intervention for Elderly With Dementia Living in the Community
A study testing Strength-based intervention in people with Dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment, run by The University of Hong Kong at 1 site in Hong Kong.
Trial summary
In the realm of dementia care, the imperative to intervene at the earliest stages of cognitive decline is paramount. Recognizing this pivotal moment, the development of innovative and effective interventions becomes imperative in delaying dementia progression. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Dementia, Mild Cognitive Impairment, Caregiver
- What is being tested?
- Strength-based intervention
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 272 participants
- Where
- 1 siteHong Kong
- Study dates
- 1 Jul 2024to 30 Dec 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- age over 18
- a confirmed diagnosis of mild dementia as indicated by the cut-off score of Montreal Cognitive Assessment-5-min at 13-18 for dementia and >18-21 for mild cognitive impairment
- self-reported cognitive complaints
- have the ability to engage in the communication with the research assistant
- able to identify a family caregiver
- consent to participate
Who cannot join
- person who has communication problems with the research team
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Effectiveness of Strength-based Intervention for Elders With Dementia Living in the Community and Residential Units: a Randomized Controlled Trial
In the realm of dementia care, the imperative to intervene at the earliest stages of cognitive decline is paramount. Recognizing this pivotal moment, the development of innovative and effective interventions becomes imperative in delaying dementia progression.
Rooted in the Roy Adaptation Model and Zimmer's Theory of Psychological Empowerment, the investigator team has developed the empowerment-based dyadic strength-based intervention, which integrates strength-based and empowerment methodologies. Emphasizing a shift from deficits to capabilities, the strength-based approach fosters awareness of collective strengths within care dyads, facilitating coping mechanisms and resilience in the face of cognitive afflictions.
Read the detailed description
In the realm of dementia care, the imperative to intervene at the earliest stages of cognitive decline is paramount. Recognizing this pivotal moment, the development of innovative and effective interventions becomes imperative in delaying dementia progression.
Rooted in the Roy Adaptation Model and Zimmer's Theory of Psychological Empowerment, the investigator team has developed the empowerment-based dyadic strength-based intervention, which integrates strength-based and empowerment methodologies. Emphasizing a shift from deficits to capabilities, the strength-based approach fosters awareness of collective strengths within care dyads, facilitating coping mechanisms and resilience in the face of cognitive afflictions.
The objective of this study is:
- To study the effectiveness of ambassador-led strength-based intervention for patient-participants with dementia living in the community and residential units to enhance their quality of life;
- To compare how the involvement of young-old volunteers in the strength-based intervention enhance service effectiveness
After obtained the consent baseline data collection will be done. The participants will be randomized to receive either the ambassador-led strength-based intervention of usual care group. The post-test data collection will take place upon the completion of the program (9th week) and at 3-month thereafter.
The Strength-based intervention incorporates 8-week Ambassador-led strength-based intervention including:
- a strength-based assessment to the patient-participant and caregiver done by the Social Worker,
- Ambassador-assisted preparation of the strength-based biography,
- four Ambassador-led workshops, the workshop will be delivered in group of 6-8 participants by at least 2 Ambassadors, and
- one Social Worker-led zoom video conference delivered to the caregivers.
- Being tested
- Strength-based intervention
- Keywords
- dementia, mild cognitive impairment, caregiver, strength-based intervention, dementia alzheimer type
- Medical subject headings
- Dementia, Cognitive Dysfunction, Alzheimer Disease
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Strength-based interventionBehavioural
The Strength-based intervention incorporates 8-week Ambassador-led strength-based intervention including:
- a strength-based assessment to the patient-participant and caregiver done by the Social Worker,
- Ambassador-assisted preparation of the strength-based biography,
- four Ambassador-led workshops, the workshop will be delivered in group of 6-8 participants by at least 2 Ambassadors, and
- one Social Worker-led zoom video conference delivered to the caregivers.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Strength-based intervention | Experimental | The Strength-based intervention incorporates 8-week Ambassador-led strength-based intervention including:
a strength-based assessment to the patient-participant and caregiver done by the Social Worker, Ambassador-assisted preparation of the strength-based biography, four Ambassador-led workshops, the workshop will be delivered in group of 6-8 participants by at least 2 Ambassadors, and one Social Worker-led zoom video conference delivered to the caregivers. Receives: Behavioral: Strength-based intervention |
| Usual care | No intervention | No intervention, continue with usual care |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
A battery of cognitive assessments (CAB)
evaluate the global cognition sore by the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale -Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog), the digit span-forward and backward test for attention and working memory, the list learning delayed recall test for episodic memory, 5-min Montreal Cognitive Assessment and Trail-Making Test for complex attention, executive function and task switching. The higher score indicates poor cognitive function
Measured: baseline (T0), 9-weeks immediate posttest (T1), 3 months after the posttest (T2)
The Revised Scale for Caregiving Self-Efficacy (RSCSE)
evaluate the perceived self-efficacy in caregiving, to measure the caregivers' perceived self-efficacy in handling the symptoms of the persons with mild cognitive impairment and to control their own emotions. It scale from 0-100 with a higher score indicating a higher caregiving self-efficacy.
Measured: baseline (T0), 9-weeks immediate posttest (T1), 3 months after the posttest (T2)
Secondary outcomes (6)
Quality of Life-Alzheimer's Disease (QoL-AD)
evaluate the health-related quality of life (HRQL) covering physical, functional, psychosocial, interpersonal, and environmental status of the patient with dementia, scales 13 to 52, with higher score indicating better HRQL
Measured: baseline (T0), 9-weeks immediate posttest (T1), 3 months after the posttest (T2)
the 10-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D)
evaluate the changes in participant's mood status. The response set is a 4-point Likert scale, scale from 0-30, with a higher score indicating a higher level of depression.
Measured: baseline (T0), 9-weeks immediate posttest (T1), 3 months after the posttest (T2)
Dyadic Relationship Scale - Patient version (DRS-patient)
evaluate the quality of interpersonal relationships in the caregiving dyad, in the care recipient perspective. It measures aspects such as communication, support, and satisfaction within the dyad, providing insight into the dynamics of caregiving relationships in dementia care settings. It scale from 0-30 with a higher score indicating a better dyadic relationship.
Measured: baseline (T0), 9-weeks immediate posttest (T1), 3 months after the posttest (T2)
Dyadic Relationship Scale - Caregiver version (DRS-caregiver)
evaluate the quality of interpersonal relationships in the caregiving dyad, in the caregiver perspective. It measures aspects such as communication, support, and satisfaction within the dyad, providing insight into the dynamics of caregiving relationships in dementia care settings. It scale from 0-33 with a higher score indicating a better dyadic relationship.
Measured: baseline (T0), 9-weeks immediate posttest (T1), 3 months after the posttest (T2)
The Neuro-psychiatric Inventory (NPI)
evaluate the neuro-psychiatric symptoms of the patient with dementia reported by the caregiver, scales from 12 to 96 with higher scores indicating higher severity
Measured: baseline (T0), 9-weeks immediate posttest (T1), 3 months after the posttest (T2)
the Patient-Reported Mild Behavioral Impairment Scale (pMBI)
evaluate the behavioral changes associated with cognitive decline for those with mild cognitive impairment, which enables patients to self-report symptoms, aiding in early detection and intervention for mild behavioral impairment, a potential precursor to dementia. It scale from 0-102 with a higher score indicating a higher risk of behavioral changes associated with cognitive decline.
Measured: baseline (T0), 9-weeks immediate posttest (T1), 3 months after the posttest (T2)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted25 Jun 2025
- Study start1 Jul 2024
- Primary completion28 Feb 2026
- Study completion30 Dec 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (9)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for DementiaStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by The University of Hong KongThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- The Strength-based intervention incorporates 8-week Ambassador-led strength-based intervention including: 1. a strength-based assessment to the patient-participant and caregiver done by the Social Worker, 2. Ambassador-assisted preparation of the strength-based biography, 3. four Ambassador-led workshops, the workshop will be delivered in group of 6-8 participants by at least 2 Ambassadors, and 4. one Social Worker-led zoom video conference delivered to the caregivers.
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 272 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- The University of Hong Kong
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Prof. Yu, Doris Sau Fung, The University of Hong Kong
- Investigators
- Sau Fung Doris Yu, PhD, Principal investigator, The University of Hong Kong
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07037550
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- STRENGTH-B
- Acronym
- STRENGTH-B
- Status last verified
- Jul 2026
- First submitted
- 17 Jun 2025
- Last updated
- 31 Jul 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: There is not a plan to make individual participant data (IPD) available.
Publications
Haskan Avcı, Ö. (2014). Development of the Dyadic Relationship Scale. Eurasian Journal of Educational Research, 56, 89-108 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.14689/ejer.2014.56.6
Yu DS, Li PW, Zhang F, Cheng ST, Ng TK, Judge KS. The effects of a dyadic strength-based empowerment program on the health outcomes of people with mild cognitive impairment and their family caregivers: a randomized controlled trial. Clin Interv Aging. 2019 Oct 4;14:1705-1717. doi: 10.2147/CIA.S213006. eCollection 2019.
PubMed 31686796Yeung PY, Wong LLL, Chan CC, Yung CY, Leung LMJ, Tam YY, Tang LN, Li HS, Lau ML. Montreal Cognitive Assessment - Single Cutoff Achieves Screening Purpose. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2020 Nov 6;16:2681-2687. doi: 10.2147/NDT.S269243. eCollection 2020.
PubMed 33192067Smith SC, Lamping DL, Banerjee S, Harwood R, Foley B, Smith P, Cook JC, Murray J, Prince M, Levin E, Mann A, Knapp M. Measurement of health-related quality of life for people with dementia: development of a new instrument (DEMQOL) and an evaluation of current methodology. Health Technol Assess. 2005 Mar;9(10):1-93, iii-iv. doi: 10.3310/hta9100.
PubMed 15774233Ismail Z, Aguera-Ortiz L, Brodaty H, Cieslak A, Cummings J, Fischer CE, Gauthier S, Geda YE, Herrmann N, Kanji J, Lanctot KL, Miller DS, Mortby ME, Onyike CU, Rosenberg PB, Smith EE, Smith GS, Sultzer DL, Lyketsos C; NPS Professional Interest Area of the International Society of to Advance Alzheimer's Research and Treatment (NPS-PIA of ISTAART). The Mild Behavioral Impairment Checklist (MBI-C): A Rating Scale for Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Pre-Dementia Populations. J Alzheimers Dis. 2017;56(3):929-938. doi: 10.3233/JAD-160979.
PubMed 28059789Cummings JL, Mega M, Gray K, Rosenberg-Thompson S, Carusi DA, Gornbein J. The Neuropsychiatric Inventory: comprehensive assessment of psychopathology in dementia. Neurology. 1994 Dec;44(12):2308-14. doi: 10.1212/wnl.44.12.2308.
PubMed 7991117Chu LW, Chiu KC, Hui SL, Yu GK, Tsui WJ, Lee PW. The reliability and validity of the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog) among the elderly Chinese in Hong Kong. Ann Acad Med Singap. 2000 Jul;29(4):474-85.
PubMed 11056778Boey KW. Cross-validation of a short form of the CES-D in Chinese elderly. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 1999 Aug;14(8):608-17. doi: 10.1002/(sici)1099-1166(199908)14:83.0.co;2-z.
PubMed 10489651Steffen AM, Gallagher-Thompson D, Arenella KM, Au A, Cheng ST, Crespo M, Cristancho-Lacroix V, Lopez J, Losada-Baltar A, Marquez-Gonzalez M, Nogales-Gonzalez C, Romero-Moreno R. Validating the Revised Scale for Caregiving Self-Efficacy: A Cross-National Review. Gerontologist. 2019 Jul 16;59(4):e325-e342. doi: 10.1093/geront/gny004.
PubMed 29546334