Recruitment has ended
What is eSHAPE?
We aimed to test a new training and support group for people in the early stages of dementia and an e-learning programme for carers. This study was developed in collaboration with researchers in Norway and Australia, based on existing interventions using the principles of health promotion and self-management. We hoped to place people with dementia at the centre of their care and teach skills for decision making, symptom management and healthy living.
Who participated?
People identified at memory clinics with mild to moderate dementia living in the community, with a formal diagnosis of dementia. These people also needed a friend or family member willing to take part to support them in the study.
Participants in the UK were identified from memory clinics in England and we were accepting direct requests to participate from the public.
What was involved in participation?
Participants in this study were randomised into the intervention group or treatment as usual group.
Intervention group
People with dementia in the intervention group were invited to a training and support group led by two health professionals once a week for 10 weeks. Their care partners did not attend the group sessions but received an online program with similar training materials and support.
Treatment as usual group
Participants in the control group did not receive the group training or online programme from our team but had access to the online educational program after the study was complete. All participants (people with dementia and care partners in both groups) were asked to attend 3 assessment sessions to answer questionnaires about their health and wellbeing. This was done at convenient locations for the participants, so could be done in their home.
Contact person for SHAPE United Kingdom:
This is an EU Joint Programme – Neurodegenerative Disease Research (JPND) project. The project is supported by Alzheimer’s Society UK and JPND – www.jpnd.eu
