RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

ECOCAPTURE for the Assessment of Apathy Under Real-life Conditions

The ECOCAPTURE@HOME study aims to better understand apathy, a common symptom in conditions like Frontotemporal Dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Apathy can significantly affect both patients and their caregivers. This study uses a new approach to measure how apathy shows up in everyday life. Participants, including patients and their spouses or carers, will wear a special bracelet with sensors for about a month. Carers will also answer questions on a smartphone app. Researchers will collect this information to identify clear signs of apathy, such as changes in daily activity, sleep, and emotional responses. The ultimate goal is to develop a tool that healthcare professionals can use to remotely monitor apathy and support patient-caregiver couples over time.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

Institut National de la Santé Et de la Recherche Médicale, France

Enrolment target

120

Start

20 May 2022

Estimated completion

01 May 2025

Frontotemporal Dementia, Behavioral Variant Alzheimer Disease

What is this study about?

Apathy is a feeling of not caring or having a lack of interest, and it's a common symptom for people living with dementias like Frontotemporal Dementia and Alzheimer's disease. It can be really challenging for both the person experiencing it and their family or carers. Despite its impact, apathy is often hard to understand, describe, or measure accurately.

The ECOCAPTURE@HOME study wants to change that. Researchers are developing a new way to observe and measure apathy in people's everyday lives. They believe that by carefully looking at someone's daily routines, sleep patterns, and emotional responses, they can find specific signs that point to apathy. This information will come from special sensors worn on a bracelet and from a smartphone app that carers will use.

The main goal of this study is to create a detailed picture of what apathy looks like in real time. This will help doctors and other healthcare professionals to diagnose apathy more effectively and to monitor how it changes over time. Ultimately, the hope is to build a tool that can be used remotely, offering better support for people with dementia and their carers.

Key takeaways

The study investigates apathy in everyday life for people with certain dementias.
It uses wearable sensors and a smartphone app to gather information.
Aims to create a better tool for long-term monitoring of apathy.
Involves patients with dementia and their carers, plus healthy couples.
Participation takes place over 28 days from home.
No direct treatment or cure, but could help future patients.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for around 60 couples. This includes people who have been diagnosed with either a specific type of Frontotemporal Dementia or Alzheimer's disease, along with their spouse or carer. They are also looking for healthy couples to compare the results with.

To join, people must be between 40 and 85 years old. They shouldn't have any other serious brain conditions, severe memory problems, or psychiatric conditions like severe depression. They also shouldn't be taking certain strong medications that could affect the results, or have certain physical disabilities that make moving around difficult. For safety, people with heart pacemakers can't take part.

There are also some legal requirements, such as not being in detention or under a court order, and not currently being in another research study that would prevent participation.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you between 40 and 85 years old?
Do you (or your loved one) have a diagnosis of a specific type of Frontotemporal Dementia or Alzheimer's disease?
Do you not have a heart pacemaker?
Are you able to move around relatively freely without major physical difficulties?
Are you not currently dealing with a serious mental health condition like severe depression?
Are you not taking strong medications that could affect your alertness or activity?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, you and your partner will need to wear a special bracelet with sensors for 28 days (about four weeks) in your normal everyday life. This bracelet will quietly collect information about your activity, sleep, and other body signals. If you are a carer in the study, you'll also be asked to use a smartphone app to fill in some questionnaires about your daily experiences and your loved one's behaviour. There are no study visits to attend, no new medications to take, and no further follow-up after the 28 days of data collection. The study aims to understand everyday behaviour, so you should continue with your usual activities.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study won't offer a direct medical benefit to you immediately, as it's a research study aimed at understanding apathy better. However, the information gathered could help future patients and carers by improving how apathy is diagnosed and managed. The main risks are minor discomfort from wearing the bracelet or general inconvenience from using the app. All information collected will be kept private and handled with care. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason, and this will not affect your medical care.

Locations (1)

ICM, Hôpital Salpêtrière
Verified postcode
Paris, France· Recruiting

Common questions

What is apathy?

Apathy is a symptom where someone shows a lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern for things that typically matter to them. It's often seen in conditions like dementia.

What kind of technology will be used?

You'll wear a special bracelet with sensors that collect information about your body and activity. Carers will also use a smartphone app to answer questions.

Will I have to go to any clinics or appointments?

No, this study is designed to be done from your home. You won't need to visit any clinics.

How long will I be involved in the study?

You'll be involved for a total of 28 consecutive days, during which you'll wear the bracelet and use the app (if you're a carer).

Will this study cure apathy or dementia?

No, this is a research study aimed at improving our understanding and measurement of apathy. It's not a treatment or cure.

How to find out more

Richard Levy, MD, PhD

richard.levy@aphp.fr 01 49 28 24 32 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.