About this trial
The goal of this study is to learn about the outcomes, usability, and accessibility of the online Brain Health Pro program for older adults with hearing difficulties, vision difficulties, or both. Brain Health Pro (BHPro) provides information and practical suggestions about ways people may support their brain health and lower their risk of dementia.
The main questions this study aims to answer are:
Does participants' knowledge about dementia and its risk factors change after using Brain Health Pro? How usable and accessible is Brain Health Pro for people with hearing or vision difficulties? What factors help or make it more difficult for participants to use and complete the program?
About 300 adults aged 55 years and older with hearing difficulties, vision difficulties, or both will take part in the study. Participants will:
Use the online Brain Health Pro program for six months. Complete online questionnaires before starting the program and again at 3 and 6 months.
Share their experiences using the program, including any difficulties related to hearing, vision, or using the online program.
Researchers will also look at whether participants make changes in health behaviours that may support brain health and whether they feel more confident about making these changes.
Eligibility criteria
This trial does not accept healthy volunteersQualifiers
Be 55 years of age or older.
Reside in Canada.
Self-report vision difficulties, hearing difficulties, or both (dual sensory difficulties), as determined using the study's sensory screening questionnaire adapted from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) and the COMPASS-ND clinical assessment battery.
Have no self-reported diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer's disease. Individuals with self-reported mild cognitive impairment (MCI) will be eligible.
Disqualifiers
Self-reported diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer's disease.
Inability, in the opinion of the investigator, to provide informed consent or to participate safely and meaningfully in study procedures.
Insufficient proficiency in English or French to complete the BHPro program and study questionnaires, even with available accessibility supports.
Vision and/or hearing difficulties that would preclude participation in the online BHPro program or completion of study assessments, even with usual corrective aids, assistive technologies, accessibility features, or support from the study team.
Trial design
Single group
Treatments tested in this trial
Brain Health Pro
BehavioralBrain Health Pro (BHPro) is a web-based educational program designed to support dementia risk reduction. Participants receive personalized information about potentially modifiable dementia risk factors and evidence-based recommendations related to lifestyle, vascular, psychosocial, and cognitive health. The program supports goal setting and behaviour change through structured online modules delivered progressively over six months.
Treatment groups
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
Change in Knowledge About Alzheimer's Disease Assessed Using the Alzheimer's Disease Knowledge Scale (ADKS)
Knowledge about Alzheimer's disease will be assessed using the Alzheimer's Disease Knowledge Scale (ADKS). The ADKS is a 30-item questionnaire with true/false response options that assesses knowledge about Alzheimer's disease across several domains. Each correct response receives one point, producing a total score ranging from 0 to 30. Higher scores indicate greater knowledge about Alzheimer's disease. Change in ADKS total score from baseline to Month 6 will be evaluated.
Secondary outcomes
Change in Self-Efficacy Assessed Using the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE)
Self-efficacy will be assessed using the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE), a 10-item questionnaire measuring perceived ability to cope with difficult situations and achieve goals. Each item is rated on a 4-point scale. Item scores are summed to produce a total score ranging from 10 to 40, with higher scores indicating greater perceived self-efficacy. Change in GSE total score from baseline to Month 3 and Month 6 will be evaluated.
Usability of Brain Health Pro Assessed Using the Adapted System Usability Scale (SUS)
Usability will be assessed using the System Usability Scale (SUS), adapted for SENSE-Brain Health Pro. The adapted questionnaire includes items assessing frequency of website use and perceived usability, including ease of use, navigation, complexity, consistency, confidence, need for technical assistance, and ease of learning. Usability items are rated on a 5-point scale from strongly disagree to strongly agree. Additional study-specific items assess accessibility and are reported separately as an accessibility outcome.
Acceptability of Brain Health Pro Assessed Using the Adapted Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) Questionnaire
Acceptability will be assessed using a 29-item Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) Questionnaire adapted for SENSE-Brain Health Pro. The questionnaire includes 26 structured items assessing perceived usefulness, communication, everyday benefits, website experience, and accessibility experience. Structured items are rated on a 7-point scale from strongly disagree to strongly agree. Three open-ended questions assess helpful accessibility features, suggested accessibility improvements, and barriers experienced while using Brain Health Pro.
Other outcomes
Perceived Dementia Risk and Risk-Reduction Behaviours Assessed Using PRISM-PC
Participants' perceptions of dementia risk and engagement in dementia risk-reduction behaviours will be assessed using Sections B and D of the Perceptions Regarding Investigational Screening for Memory in Primary Care (PRISM-PC) questionnaire.
Accessibility Accommodations and Experiences With Brain Health Pro
Accessibility accommodations will be assessed using the SENSE-BHPro Accessibility Accommodations Questionnaire. The questionnaire documents vision-related accommodations, hearing-related accommodations, computer accessibility settings, assistance received from others, and participants' perceived usefulness of the accommodations used. Additional comments about accessibility accommodations may also be provided.
Barriers and Facilitators to Using Brain Health Pro
Barriers and facilitators will be assessed using the SENSE-BHPro Accessibility Barriers and Facilitators Questionnaire. Structured items assess ease of access and navigation, readability, audio accessibility, visual presentation, compatibility with assistive technologies, specific barriers and facilitators, and overall satisfaction. Agreement items use a 5-point scale from strongly disagree to strongly agree. Open-ended questions ask participants to describe their main accessibility barrier, what helped them most, and recommended improvements.
Sponsors and contacts
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Université de Montréal
Lead sponsor
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
Collaborator
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