Prevention of dementia using mobile phone applications (PRODEMOS): Protocol for an international randomised controlled trial

Esmé Eggink, Melanie Hafdi, Marieke P. Hoevenaar-Blom, Manshu Song, Sandrine Andrieu, Linda E. Barnes, Cindy Birck, Rachael L. Brooks, Nicola Coley, Elizabeth Ford, Jean Georges, Abraham Van Der Groep, Willem A. Van Gool, Ron Handels, Haifeng Hou, Dong Li, Hongmei Liu, Jihui Lyu, Harm Van Marwijk, Mark Van Der MeijdenYixuan Niu, Shanu Sadhwani, Wenzhi Wang, Youxin Wang, Anders Wimo, Xiaoyan Ye, Yueyi Yu, Qiang Zeng, Wei Zhang, Wei Wang, Carol Brayne, Eric P. Moll Van Charante, Edo Richard

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Introduction Profiles of high risk for future dementia are well understood and are likely to concern mostly those in low-income and middle-income countries and people at greater disadvantage in high-income countries. Approximately 30%-40% of dementia cases have been estimated to be attributed to modifiable risk factors, including hypertension, smoking and sedentary lifestyle. Tailored interventions targeting these risk factors can potentially prevent or delay the onset of dementia. Mobile health (mHealth) improves accessibility of such prevention strategies in hard-to-reach populations while at the same time tailoring such approaches. In the current study, we will investigate the effectiveness and implementation of a coach-supported mHealth intervention, targeting dementia risk factors, to reduce dementia risk. Methods and analysis The prevention of dementia using mobile phone applications (PRODEMOS) randomised controlled trial will follow an effectiveness-implementation hybrid design, taking place in the UK and China. People are eligible if they are 55-75 years old, of low socioeconomic status (UK) or from the general population (China); have ≥2 dementia risk factors; and own a smartphone. 2400 participants will be randomised to either a coach-supported, interactive mHealth platform, facilitating self-management of dementia risk factors, or a static control platform. The intervention and follow-up period will be 18 months. The primary effectiveness outcome is change in the previously validated Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Ageing and Incidence of Dementia dementia risk score. The main secondary outcomes include improvement of individual risk factors and cost-effectiveness. Implementation outcomes include acceptability, adoption, feasibility and sustainability of the intervention. Ethics and dissemination The PRODEMOS trial is sponsored in the UK by the University of Cambridge and is granted ethical approval by the London - Brighton and Sussex Research Ethics Committee (reference: 20/LO/01440). In China, the trial is approved by the medical ethics committees of Capital Medical University, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Beijing Geriatric Hospital, Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Taishan Medical University and Xuanwu Hospital. Results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. Trial registration number ISRCTN15986016.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere049762
JournalBMJ Open
Volume11
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 9 Jun 2021

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
Funding This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under grant agreement No. 779 238 and the National Key R&D Programme of China (2017YFE0118800).

Funding Information:
Acknowledgements The authors thank the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme and National Key R&D Programme of China for the funding of the trial. The authors thank Lonneke van Vught for her substantial contribution in the early phase of the trial design. The authors thank Kevin Hekert, Louwrens Knulst and Michiel van Dam for their substantial contribution in building the platform. The authors thank Jinxia Zhang, Xiaoyu Zhang, Mingyang Cao, Bin Jiang, Siqi Ge, Maolong Gao, Mo Li, Nayan Huang, Danning Li, Mingyue He, Weijiao Zhang, Huiying Guan, Jinghui Li, Yan Gong, Na Niu, Xiang Jia, Fei Wang, Jing Sun, Liyong Wu, Dan Li, Baoliang Sun, Hui Yuan, Guohua Wang, Xizhu Xu, Cancan Li, Wenran Zhang, Juan Du and Libin Song for their contributions to the trial logistics. The authors thank all patient participants and other stakeholders who took part in patient and public involvement groups for their contribution to the platform and study design. Contributors EE was responsible for the drafting of the manuscript. ER, EPMvC, WAvG, MPH-B, CBr and WeiW were responsible for the study conception. ER, EPMvC, MPH-B, MS, SA, CBi, NC, EF, JG, WAvG, HvM, WenW, YW, AW, WeiW and CBr were responsible for the design of the trial. EE, MH, LEB, RLB, AvdG, RH, HH, DL, HL, JL, MvdM, YN, SS, XY, YY, QZ and WZ were involved in trial design and coordination. All other authors were responsible for critically revising the manuscript. All authors approved the final version of the manuscript. WeiW, CBr, EPMvC and ER are shared last authors.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 BMJ Publishing Group. All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • adult neurology
  • dementia
  • public health

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