Study Title:
Looking for Caregivers of People Living With Dementia to Provide Feedback on the Use of Smart Home Technology
Study Description:
Smart home technology involves using sensors to track activity, sleep, medication use, etc. Artificial intelligence may be able to help predict caregiver burden by using data acquired by these sensors. The objective of this study is to ask caregivers their opinions on the use of smart home technology to predict caregiver burden.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Caregivers (past or present) of an individual with a diagnosis of cognitive impairment or dementia
What to expect:
- A 60-minute interview over Zoom to provide your opinions on caregiver burden and the use of smart home technology
- A gift card will be provided to compensate for your time
Recruitment Close Date:
October 31, 2026
Principal Investigator:Dr. Neil Thomas
Contact:Research Team – Emma Gal-Dev and Anupriya Kakkar
REB#:M16-25-006. This study has been reviewed and approved by the Bruyère Health Research Ethics Board.
Study Title:
Implementation of the Memory Support System: A Feasibility Study
Study Description:
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) represents a risk factor to develop dementia and leads to some difficulty in daily functioning and caregiver burden. Interventions based on compensatory cognitive strategies, such as the Memory Support System (MSS), may help improve daily functioning and caregiver burden. The MSS is calendar-based intervention to train people with MCI to complete personal goals and daily tasks independently.
We are looking to evaluate the feasibility of implementing the MSS, an evidence-based behavioral intervention, for individuals with MCI in a memory clinic in Ottawa, with the eventual goal of offering the MSS as part of a clinical program at Bruyère.
Participation in the study will involve:
- 10 1-hour training sessions to learn to use the MSS (2-3 sessions/week)
- Brief cognitive screening and questionnaires about how well you use the MSS, daily functioning, mood, and quality of life, among others.
- Enrollment and participation are completely voluntary and free of charge.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Have a diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment
- Have a support partner willing to participate (spouse, family member, friend)
This list is not exhaustive. Please contact the team for more details.
Recruitment Close Date:
To be determined: If no end date has been provided.
Principal Investigator:
Dr. Neil Thomas, Dr. Octavio Santos
Contact:
Fjolla Berbatovci
Bruyere Health Research Institute
613-562-6262 ext. 1236
FBerbatovci@bruyere.org
REB#:
M16-23-024. This study has been approved by the Bruyère Research Ethics Board.
Study Title:
Master Screening Study to Determine Individuals with Potential Trial Eligibility for Alzheimer’s Disease Studies as Assessed by Biomarker Status and Cognition
Study Description:
The study’s goals are to identify those who may be eligible for a future Alzheimer’s disease clinical trial testing a potential medication and to help find ways that may be used to detect it at an earlier stage.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Aged 50 to 90 years old
- Able and willing to participate in a Roche interventional clinical trial
This list is not exhaustive. Please contact the team for more details.
Recruitment Close Date:
To be determined.
Principal Investigator:
Dr. Andrew Frank
Contact:
Jasmin Yee
jyee@bruyere.org
613-562-6262 ext. 1636
REB#:
M16-25-016. This study has been reviewed and approved by the Bruyère Health Research Ethics Board.
Help us test CareGuide, a new AI conversation tool that supports families making decisions about hospital transfers for long-term care residents.
Study Title:
CareGuideGPT
Study Description:
Deciding whether a long-term care resident should go to hospital during a sudden illness is one of the hardest choices families face. We have created CareGuide, an AI conversation agent, to support families with this decision.
We are looking for family caregivers to try CareGuide and tell us what they think. Taking part involves reading a short, made-up story about a long-term care resident who has become unwell, having a conversation with CareGuide about the decision, and sharing your thoughts in a brief questionnaire. It takes about 30 minutes, from home, at your own pace.
Participation is voluntary and you can stop at any time.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Family caregivers: family members, friends, or others who help care for a long-term care resident
- Access to a computer (no typing skills needed)
- Able to take part in English
This list is not exhaustive. Please contact the team for more details.
Recruitment Close Date:
Study will remain open until we have recruited our full sample.
Principal Investigator:
Dr. Daniel Kobewka
Contact:
Dr. Daniel Kobewka
Bruyere Health Research Institute
dkobewka@toh.ca
REB #:
REB-2026-103. This study has been approved by the Bruyere Health Research Ethics Board.