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Trials
Published in: Trials 1/2015

Open Access 01-12-2015 | Study protocol

The effect of an information and communication technology (ICT) on older adults’ quality of life: study protocol for a randomized control trial

Authors: David H Gustafson Sr., Fiona McTavish, David H Gustafson Jr., Jane E Mahoney, Roberta A Johnson, John D Lee, Andrew Quanbeck, Amy K Atwood, Andrew Isham, Raj Veeramani, Lindy Clemson, Dhavan Shah

Published in: Trials | Issue 1/2015

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Abstract

Background

This study investigates the use of an information and communication technology (Elder Tree) designed for older adults and their informal caregivers to improve older adult quality of life and address challenges older adults face in maintaining their independence (for example, loneliness and isolation, falling, managing medications, driving and transportation).

Methods/Design

This study, an unblinded randomized controlled trial, will evaluate the effectiveness and cost of Elder Tree. Older adults who are at risk for losing their independence - along with their informal caregivers, if they name them - are randomized to two groups. The intervention group has access to their usual sources of information and communication as well as to Elder Tree for 18 months while the control group uses only their usual sources of information and communication. The primary outcome of the study is older adult quality of life. Secondary outcomes are cost per Quality-Adjusted Life Year and the impact of the technology on independence, loneliness, falls, medication management, driving and transportation, and caregiver appraisal and mastery. We will also examine the mediating effect of self-determination theory. We will evaluate the effectiveness of Elder Tree by comparing intervention- and control-group participants at baseline and months 6, 12, and 18. We will use mixed-effect models to evaluate the primary and secondary outcomes, where pretest score functions as a covariate, treatment condition is a between-subjects factor, and the multivariate outcome reflects scores for a given assessment at the three time points. Separate analyses will be conducted for each outcome. Cost per Quality-Adjusted Life Year will be compared between the intervention and control groups. Additional analyses will examine the mediating effect of self-determination theory on each outcome.

Discussion

Elder Tree is a multifaceted intervention, making it a challenge to assess which services or combinations of services account for outcomes in which subsets of older adults. If Elder Tree can improve quality of life and reduce healthcare costs among older adults, it could suggest a promising way to ease the burden that advancing age can place on older adults, their families, and the healthcare system.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.govNCT02128789. Registered on 26 March 2014.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
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Metadata
Title
The effect of an information and communication technology (ICT) on older adults’ quality of life: study protocol for a randomized control trial
Authors
David H Gustafson Sr.
Fiona McTavish
David H Gustafson Jr.
Jane E Mahoney
Roberta A Johnson
John D Lee
Andrew Quanbeck
Amy K Atwood
Andrew Isham
Raj Veeramani
Lindy Clemson
Dhavan Shah
Publication date
01-12-2015
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Trials / Issue 1/2015
Electronic ISSN: 1745-6215
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-015-0713-2

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