The Alzheimer Society Research Portal connects researchers with Canadians looking to participate in research studies. On this website, find active studies that you can participate in to help advance research on dementia.
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- Observational StudyIn person and online
What is this Study about?
This research aims to explore the perspectives of older adults living with dementia, providing a nuanced understanding of their experiences and challenges. Second, it seeks to investigate the role of physical activities in their lives, examining how engagement in such activities influences their cognitive function and mental well-being. Finally, this research aims to inform interventions and policies that can support older adults in maintaining their cognitive health and overall well-being.
The data will be used for the researcher’s master’s thesis, and for publishing peer-reviewed and non-peer reviewed articles, conference presentations, webinars, and presentations for professionals.Eligibility Criteria
1.You are eligible to participate if you are a member of the Minds in Motion program.
2.You are eligible to participate if you age 65 and above.
3.You are eligible to participate if you are diagnosed with mild-to-moderate dementia.
4.You are eligible to participate if you actively engaged in some form of physical activity in addition to minds in motion physical activities (e.g. swimming, nature walks, aerobics, chair exercises).
5. You are eligible to participate if you can give informed consent.Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyIn person and online
What is this Study about?
This study aims to evaluate the acceptance and usability of the GuardIO Family Care app, a mobile application designed to support community safety for individuals living with dementia or mild cognitive impairment and their care partners. The study also aims to analyze mobility patterns collected from the app to explore how mobility data can contribute to the early detection of cognitive impairment. The findings will help improve app design, inform care strategies, and support early intervention efforts for individuals living with dementia or MCI.
Eligibility Criteria
You are eligible to participate if you:
Are 18 years of age or older
Are living with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia, or are a care partner of someone with MCI or dementia
Are able to use a smartphone or tablet with the GuardIO app
Are willing to participate in the study activities, including using the app, completing questionnaires, and attending an optional focus group
Can understand and communicate in English (or another supported language, if applicable)Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyIn-Person and Online
What is this Study about?
This study is testing a digital reminder system for people living with dementia. The system sends alerts when daily routines change and collects feedback from caregivers. The goal is to improve the system’s design and usefulness. Results will help make reminder tools more supportive for people living with dementia and their caregivers.
Eligibility Criteria
You are eligible to participate if you are a person living with dementia and you:
- Have a clinical diagnosis of mild to moderate dementia
- Were diagnosed within the past 2 years
- Speak and understand English
- Are able to give informed consent
- Have internet access at home
- Are part of a caregiver-participant pair (dyad)
You are eligible to participate if you are a caregiver and you:
- Are an informal caregiver (family member or friend)
- Provide at least 30 hours of care per week to a person living with dementia
- Speak and understand English
- Are able to give informed consent
- Can participate in a home setup session and follow-up interviewRecruitment End Date
- Clinical TrialOnline
What is this Study about?
‘Bootle Blast’ combines therapy and video games. It has been used with children and youth with musculoskeletal disabilities in clinics and homes. Preliminary research supports Bootle Blast’s ability to engage players and support physical outcomes. Informal testing suggests it may also appeal to older adults. This study will test Bootle Blast’s feasibility with people with dementia. Pairs of people with dementia and their caregivers (n=10) will play Bootle Blast at home for 2 weeks. Data will include video recordings, surveys, balance tests, safety and adherence tracking, and interviews. This study aims to inform a more accessible version of Bootle Blast.
Eligibility Criteria
People with Dementia
• Live in Ontario, Canada (within a two-hour drive from Toronto, Ontario)
• Speak and understand English
• Agree to be video and audio recorded as part of the study
• Be able to stand and walk, with or without an assistive device (e.g., a walker)
• Have the capacity to provide independent, informed consent
Caregivers
• Live in Ontario, Canada (within a two-hour drive from Toronto, Ontario)
• Speak and understand English
• Agree to be video and audio recorded as part of the studyRecruitment End Date
- Observational StudyOnline
What is this Study about?
By understanding the perspectives of various stakeholders involved in dementia care within Ontario health teams, we aim to enhance the quality of life for individuals living with dementia in Ontario.
Eligibility Criteria
You are eligible to participate if you or your loved one is living with dementia and would like to share your experience so that we can act to improve the quality of care for individuals living with dementia in Ontario.
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyOnline
What is this Study about?
This study looks at how an at-home nature-based virtual reality (VR) program may help people living with Alzheimer’s disease manage behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), such as depression. Caregivers/study partners will have the option of taking part in the study and providing feedback regarding the VR intervention. This project will explore how VR can be used as a non-pharmacological approach to prolong aging in place for individuals with BPSD, as BPSD contributes to rates of institutionalization. This will take place completely remotely, in your own home.
Eligibility Criteria
AD-D Participant Inclusion Criteria:
1) Clinical diagnosis of mild to early-moderate stage AD (including mixed dementia with AD) using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Ed. Criteria (29)
2) Age of 50 years or older
3) Medical stability to participate in the trial
4) Patient Health Questionnaire score 5-14
5) Investigator judgement on whether the participant is comfortable with technology
6) Access to WiFi and a smart device for connecting on WebEx and downloading the Fitbit and Muse applications
7) Have someone available to be present during all sessions
Caregiver Inclusion Criteria:1) 18 years of age or older
2) Available to be present for all sessions
3) Ability to provide consent
4) Access to a smart device
Caregiver Exclusion Criteria:
1) Under 18 years of age
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyOnline & In-Person
What is this Study about?
Seeking individuals with mild, early-stage dementia ages 65+ to explore how they access daily information like weather forecasts and newspapers. The study aims to improve information accessibility for the dementia community. Participation involves a 60-90 minute session (in-person or via Zoom with caregiver) observing information access behaviors. Findings will guide strategies for making information more comprehensible and accessible. Participants will receive $50 for their time. This study is approved by York University’s ethics committee (#2024-176). For details, contact Dr. Somang Nam at [email protected].
Eligibility Criteria
Individuals diagnosed with mild, early-stage dementia.
Caregivers may participate to support individuals meeting the above criteria.
Participants must be able to engage in a 60-90 minute session, either in person or via Zoom.Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyOnline & In-Person
What is this Study about?
The aim of this study is to develop a large, ethically sources, and diverse database of voice recordings to determine whether voice has biomarkers for particular disease categories, including neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions. The data that is collected will be used to develop a full open-access database to fuel artificial intelligence research related to voice.
Eligibility Criteria
- Between ages of 44-85
- Able to read, write, speak, and understand English
- Be diagnosed with one of the following conditions:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Parkinson’s disease
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
- Mild Cognitive Impairment, or other types of dementia
- Consent to provide a voice/speech sample
Recruitment End Date
- Clinical TrialOntario
What is this Study about?
McMaster University, in partnership with Ressam Gardens Memory Care Community, is conducting a study on the effects of brain stimulation in individuals aged 50 and older with dementia or memory loss. The research focuses on using repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), a non-invasive technique that delivers magnetic pulses to the brain, to enhance cognitive function and balance. The goal is to extend the positive effects of brain stimulation in improving cognition and balance in individuals with dementia.
Eligibility Criteria
You are eligible to participate if you…
1.) Diagnosed with Dementia and/or memory loss by a clinician
2.) Exhibit adequate oral communication skills and cognitive function sufficient to obtain a score ranging between 10-27 on the Mini-Mental State Exam
3.) Walk or stand with or without personnel or assistive devices
4.) Individuals must be greater than or equal to 50 years of age
Recruitment End Date
Alzheimer Society of Canada
20 Eglinton Avenue West, 16th Floor
Toronto, Ontario M4R 1K8
Information and Referral Line: 1-855-705-4636
Email: [email protected]
Charity registration number: 11878 4925 RR0001
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