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Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

NCT number NCT03472729
Other study ID # 3670
Secondary ID
Status Completed
Phase N/A
First received
Last updated
Start date September 1, 2018
Est. completion date January 1, 2020

Study information

Verified date August 2019
Source McMaster University
Contact n/a
Is FDA regulated No
Health authority
Study type Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

AGE-ON is a series of workshops developed by the Regional Geriatric Program central, based in Hamilton, Ontario. The goal of these workshops is to teach older adults with limited computer knowledge how to use tablet computers to connect with friends and family and gather information related to issues of importance to them. The overwhelming positive response to three initial pilots proved the interest in such a program from seniors in the community. Preliminary feedback from program participants was collected as part of the initial pilot; the investigators would now like to use this feedback to improve the existing workshops and expand implementation of the program to a diverse population of older adults. The objective of this study is to conduct a formal mixed-methods evaluation of the updated AGE-ON workshops implemented at multiple community-based sites.


Description:

Adults over 65 years are the fastest growing segment of Canada's population. Social isolation (defined as living alone with infrequent social contact and/or few social network ties) and loneliness (a dissatisfaction with the discrepancy between desired and actual social connections) are of growing concern, as individuals are living longer and often living alone or far from family and close friends. Both loneliness and social isolation are related to poor quality of life and overall well being. The internet and communication technology may be important tools to help older adults connect with family and friends, thus maintaining or even enhancing social connections. They help users overcome physical and spatial barriers to connect with others. However many older adults have obstacles to internet and technology use such as lack of knowledge and efficacy, and concerns over privacy.

AGE-ON is a series of volunteer-run workshops developed in 2014 by the Regional Geriatric Program in Hamilton. The goal of these workshops is to teach older adults with limited computer knowledge how to use tablet computers to connect with friends and family and gather information related to issues of importance to them. Over six weeks, participants learn 1) basic features of the iPad; 2) how to use the internet; 3) how to take and view photos; 4) how to send and receive emails; and 5) other 'fun' functions. An initial pilot project conducted in 2014-2015 displayed an overwhelmingly positive response to the AGE-ON workshops by both participants and volunteers, generating local media attention and resulting in a large number of interested older adults being placed on a wait-list for future workshops. This response proved the interest and need for a program of this type in the community. Preliminary feedback was gathered from participants; the investigators would now like to use this feedback to improve and expand upon the existing curriculum, and conduct a formal evaluation of the workshops.

Through this randomized controlled trial the study team will conduct a formal evaluation of the AGE-ON workshops. Tablet and internet use and self-efficacy, barriers to technology use, social isolation, loneliness and quality of life will be assessed before and after the workshops. Qualitative feedback from participants will be collected after each workshop, and in-person and telephone interviews will be conducted with participants at the end of the workshops.

Based on preliminary findings from AGE-ON Level 1 pilot project, we expect that participants in the AGE-ON program will improve self-efficacy in using their tablet for variety of tasks, specifically communicating with family and friends, and accessing health information. We anticipate this will result in a reduction in social isolation and loneliness, and improvement in quality of life. We also expect that this benefit will extend beyond the individual participant themselves, to family members and friends of workshop participants. At the community-level, this project will establish partnerships between researchers at McMaster University (Portal team), clinicians (Regional Geriatric Program, central) and organizations that work with older adults in the community (YWCA, assisted living facilities).


Recruitment information / eligibility

Status Completed
Enrollment 32
Est. completion date January 1, 2020
Est. primary completion date September 1, 2019
Accepts healthy volunteers Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Gender All
Age group 60 Years and older
Eligibility Inclusion Criteria:

- Interest in participating in a tablet training workshop

- Read, speak and understand English

Exclusion Criteria:

- Previous participation in AGE-ON pilot

Study Design


Related Conditions & MeSH terms


Intervention

Other:
AGE-ON Workshop
Series of workshops to reduce social isolation through technology use.

Locations

Country Name City State
Canada McMaster University Hamilton Ontario

Sponsors (2)

Lead Sponsor Collaborator
McMaster University Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada

Country where clinical trial is conducted

Canada, 

Outcome

Type Measure Description Time frame Safety issue
Other Participant satisfaction Collected from participant feedback on a Likert scale 6 weeks
Primary Duke Social Support Index To understand the impact of AGE-ON on participants' social isolation 6-weeks
Secondary de Jon Gierveld Loneliness Scale To understand the impact of AGE-ON on participants' loneliness 6 weeks
Secondary CASP-12 Quality of life 6 weeks
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