myRhythmWatch

STUDY BASICS

Are you caring for a loved one 60+ with dementia? If you are 50 or older, you may be able to participate in a research study to know if using a new app can help improve sleep-wake rhythms in persons with dementia and their caregivers. Compensation is provided.

STUDY PURPOSE

The University of Pittsburgh is conducting a research study to test an app called myRhythmWatch (myRW) for people with Alzheimer's Disease & AD-related dementias (ADRD) and their family caregivers. This research study will help us understand if using this app can help improve sleep-wake rhythms in people with dementia & their caregivers. 

COULD THIS STUDY BE RIGHT FOR YOU?

Eligible participants are:

• Adults with dementia aged 60 and older 
• Caregivers aged 50 and older 

WHAT PARTICIPANTS CAN EXPECT

This is a study for dementia caregivers and people who have dementia. We are recruiting people into the study in groups of two. This means that persons with dementia will be enrolled along with their caregivers. Caregivers will help care recipients navigate any study tasks that may be difficult for them to complete independently. Circadian rhythms are 24-hour patterns. Scientists think that good rhythms are important for health, for example, helping you get good sleep at night and keeping you alert during the day. Rhythm disruption affects about 1 in 3 older adults. Things like stress and diseases like dementia can disrupt rhythms. But living with rhythms disruption could make things worse, potentially by impairing critical bodily functions, depression, and sleep problems. The myRW study is hoping to help by making tracking sleep wake rhythms and your health easier. 

If you take part in this study, you will be asked to:

• Complete a virtual baseline study visit to answer questions about your health and wellbeing. 
• Wear an Apple watch for up to 6 weeks. You can discuss your likes and dislikes of using the myRW app with our research team. 
• Talk to a health coach, weekly, for 6 weeks about your personal health goals. 
• Complete 2 follow-up visits: one after you wear the watch (6 weeks) and another 3 months later. 
• The total study time is approximately 5 months.