Remote Dementia Research Study
University of South Carolina researchers are studying how iPhones and Apple Watches can track caregiving tasks and the health of unpaid caregivers for Alzheimer’s patients over 20 days.
Fast Facts
Caregiver of Someone With Dementia or Alzheimer's
Report 2+ Hours of Unpaid Caregiving Per Day
Compensation Provided
Conducted Remotely
Study Background
A Pilot study: Generating Digital Biomarkers of Care Needs Among Unpaid Caregivers of Individuals with ADRD
Unpaid caregivers for individuals with Alzheimer’s and related conditions often face physical, mental, social, and financial challenges while caring for their loved ones. However, little research exists on how daily caregiving affects their overall health. Mobile technology, like smartphones and smartwatches, offers a new way to track caregivers’ daily activities and health in real time.
This study, “Generating Digital Biomarkers of Care Needs Among Unpaid Caregivers of Individuals with ADRD,” will explore how iPhones and Apple Watches can be used to collect daily data on caregiving activities and health over 20 days. The goal is to understand caregivers’ experiences, identify challenges with using these tools, and uncover how caregiving impacts their wellbeing to better support them in the future.
Join our compensated study today!
Study Background
Unpaid caregivers for individuals with Alzheimer’s and related conditions often face physical, mental, social, and financial challenges while caring for their loved ones. However, little research exists on how daily caregiving affects their overall health. Mobile technology, like smartphones and smartwatches, offers a new way to track caregivers’ daily activities and health in real time.
This study, “Generating Digital Biomarkers of Care Needs Among Unpaid Caregivers of Individuals with ADRD,” will explore how iPhones and Apple Watches can be used to collect daily data on caregiving activities and health over 20 days. The goal is to understand caregivers’ experiences, identify challenges with using these tools, and uncover how caregiving impacts their wellbeing to better support them in the future.
Join our compensated study today!
Additional Information
You may qualify for this study if you meet the following criteria.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Caregiver of someone with dementia or Alzheimer’s
- Report at least 2 or more hours of unpaid caregiving per day
- Not participating in other studies that may interfere with current study outcomes
- Live in South Carolina
- Ages 18+
If you participate in this study, here’s what you can expect:
Screening:
You will first go through a screening process to ensure eligibility for the study. This may take up to 1 hour.
Equipment Training:
If you don’t already have a compatible iPhone or Apple Watch, we will provide you with the necessary devices. These will be either handed to you during an in-person visit or shipped to you if you prefer to participate virtually. You will then attend a training session (in person or virtual) where trained staff will show you how to use the Apple Watch and iPhone for the study. This session may take up to 1 hour.
Baseline Survey & Onboarding:
During the training session, you will also complete a baseline survey. The session, including the survey, will take about 1 hour in total and will provide you with all the information you need to begin participating in the study.
Daily Participation & Data Collection:
Starting the day after the training, you will:
Wear the Apple Watch continuously for 20 days (except while charging) even while you sleep.
Complete two brief e-surveys on the iPhone each day: one in the morning and one in the evening.
The e-surveys will take only a few minutes and will ask about your caregiving activities, wellbeing, sleep, and other daily experiences. The Apple Watch will also passively collect data on physical activity.
No Real-Time Monitoring:
Researchers will collect and analyze the data after the study is completed, but will not monitor it in real time.
By following these steps, your participation will help researchers better understand the experiences and challenges of unpaid caregivers.
You will receive up to $150 if you complete all surveys. Payments will be issued via prepaid gift cards at the end of the study.
There is no cost for you to participate in our research study.