A Pilot of Memory Support System for Older Chinese Americans With Mild Cognitive Impairment
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Summary
The Memory Support System (MSS) from the Healthy Action to Benefit Independence \& Thinking® (HABIT) Program is an evidence-based, non-pharmacological intervention for mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Despite the clinical benefits and feasibility, the MSS was primarily developed and used with non-Hispanic White, English-speaking adults. Racial/ethnic minority groups are chronically under-enrolled in clinical trials for Alzheimer's Disease and Alzheimer's Disease Related Dementias (AD/ADRD) due to lack of linguistically and culturally appropriate adaptation of assessment measures and intervention protocols. The purpose of this research study is to examine whether the MSS from HABIT can help Chinese American older adults with mild thinking and memory problems. Target recruitment is 60 Chinese American adults who are primarily Mandarin- (n=30) and Cantonese-speaking (n=30). Forty participants will participate in the trainer-led day planner training and 20 will participate in self-study of the day planner and receive brain health education. Each participant will also be asked to identify a study partner to participate with them.
Eligibility
- Age range
- 55+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion criteria: * self-identify as Chinese American; * age 55 and above; * a diagnosis of MCI as confirmed through documented clinical assessment and/or research-based diagnostic criteria; * predominantly Cantonese- or Mandarin-speaking; * able to read and write in Chinese; * visual and auditory acuity adequate for cognitive testing; * willing to complete the assessment measures; * having someone in regular contact to serve as a study partner/informant; * absence or stable use of prescribed memory-enhancing medications within the last 3 months. Exclusion criteria include: * any signific…
Interventions
- BehavioralMemory Support System
Participants and study partners in the MSS treatment group will work with a study trainer to learn the MSS and eventually adapt the skills to support functioning in their daily life. The MSS trainer will follow a 10-session MSS Training Workbook as the standardized protocol for training. Additional sessions beyond the standard 10 sessions can be added if needed to support mastery of the MSS (up to a maximum of 15 total sessions). Participants and study partners will also receive a copy of the brain health education workbook that contains the same educational information for the control group at the 8-week follow up.
- BehavioralBrain Health Education
Participants and study partners in the control group will be provided with the MSS guidebook and day planner for self-study of the MSS system. They will also meet with a study trainer to complete 10 sessions of a brain health education course that is tailored for individuals with MCI. The trainer will use a HABIT-based brain health education workbook to provide the content. Additional sessions beyond the standard 10 sessions can be added up to a maximum of 15 total sessions. Participants and study partners will receive a copy of the brain health education workbook at the 8-week follow up.
Location
- Li Lab, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew York, New York