Dementia is a growing health concern in Malaysia and places a heavy burden on family members who act as caregivers. Many caregivers struggle with limited knowledge, negative attitudes, and challenges in daily caregiving practices. These issues increase caregiver stress and reduce the quality of care for people living with dementia.
The DemensiaKITA mobile health application was developed to support caregivers by providing educational content, self-help tools, and practical guidance. This study will evaluate whether using the DemensiaKITA app can improve caregivers' knowledge, attitudes, and caregiving practices (KAP), as well as reduce caregiver burden.
This is a non-randomized controlled trial involving dementia caregivers in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor. Participants in the intervention group will use the DemensiaKITA mobile app for a set period, while the control group will continue with usual support. Outcomes will be measured before and after the intervention using validated questionnaires.
The results of this study will provide evidence on the effectiveness of a locally developed mobile health application in supporting dementia caregivers in Malaysia. If successful, this digital approach may be scaled up to improve caregiver support and dementia care in other settings.
Adults aged 18 years and above
Primary informal caregiver of a person living with dementia (family member or household member)
Able to read and understand Malay
Owns a smartphone and is able to use mobile applications
Professional/paid caregivers (e.g., nurses, domestic helpers hired solely for caregiving)
Caregivers of patients with conditions other than dementia
Individuals with severe cognitive or psychiatric illness that limits their ability to participate
Parallel
DemensiaKITA mobile health application
Other interventionA mobile health application developed to support dementia caregivers. It provides structured educational modules, attitude-shaping content, and practical caregiving tips, along with self-monitoring features to reduce caregiver stress and burden. Participants in the intervention group will use the app regularly during the study period.
Usual Care
Other interventionParticipants assigned to the control group will continue with usual caregiving practices and community-based resources available to dementia caregivers. They will not be given access to the DemensiaKITA mobile health application during the study period. This group provides a comparator for evaluating the added benefit of th
Change in Dementia Caregivers' Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) Scores
Caregiver knowledge, attitude, and practice will be assessed using validated instruments, including the Dementia Knowledge Assessment Tool (DKAT-2) and caregiver attitude and practice scales. The primary outcome is the change in KAP scores between baseline and post-intervention, comparing the intervention (DemensiaKITA app) and control (usual care) groups. Higher scores indicate better knowledge, more positive attitudes, and improved caregiving practices.
Change in Caregiver Burden Scores
Caregiver burden will be measured using the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), a validated questionnaire assessing the level of stress, emotional strain, and impact of caregiving responsibilities. The outcome is the change in ZBI scores between baseline and post-intervention. Lower scores indicate reduced caregiver burden.
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