Resilient Together for Dementia (RT-D)

Launched by ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI · Sep 26, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The Resilient Together for Dementia (RT-D) study is looking at a new program designed to help couples dealing with the emotional challenges that come after a dementia diagnosis. The goal is to see if this program can help reduce stress and prevent long-term emotional difficulties in couples where one partner has recently been diagnosed with dementia. They are currently recruiting participants who are between the ages of 65 and 74, and anyone can apply regardless of gender.

To be eligible for the study, at least one partner in the couple must have received a dementia diagnosis within the last three months and show early signs of the condition. Both partners should live together, speak English, and be able to understand the study. Additionally, the partner with dementia should be experiencing some emotional distress. Participants in this trial can expect to take part in activities and discussions aimed at improving their emotional well-being together. It’s important to note that individuals with certain other health issues or specific types of dementia may not be able to participate, to ensure everyone’s safety and well-being during the study.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Recent (\~3 month) chart documented ADRD diagnosis,
• • ADRD symptom onset after age 65
• • Cognitive assessment scores and symptoms consistent with early stage dementia, as determined by the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale scores of .5 or 1.0
• • Cognitive awareness of their problems (as determined by the treating neurologist), and ability to understand study and research protocol, as determined by a standardized teach-back method assessment
• Additional inclusion criteria for dyads are:
• • English speaking adults (18 years or older)
• • Dyad lives together
• • At least one partner endorses clinically significant emotional distress during screening (\>7 on Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale subscales or \<5 on the Geriatric Depression Scale)
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Patient is deemed inappropriate by the neurology team
• • Either partner has a co-occurring terminal illness
• • Patient was diagnosed with forms of dementia with clinical profiles that would preclude participation (e.g., Frontotemporal Dementia- behavioral variant), as determined by treatment team.