Hygeia - Get Involved

We're building a community of Brain Health Champions to help everyone live longer, healthier lives. Join us and learn valuable new information about your own health while working to achieve goals with the support of others.

Our community helps researchers from universities, charities, the NHS, and health companies try out healthy activities that can improve brain health. Our program offers a place to find these activities and see how well they work. Our partners help us support everyone in reaching their health goals by offering activities that work. Together with our partners, we make sure Hygeia is successful.

By participating in and partnering with the Hygeia research program, you can help advance health research and dementia care. Your contributions of health information can shape the program's direction. Your involvement supports the development of technologies that enhance the lives of people with dementia and their families.

Participant Information Sheet

Join Our Study: Help Us Help People Live Better!

We are inviting you to join this important dementia study called Hygeia. This study explores new ways to help slow disease progression and manage its symptoms based around "new hopeful evidence about dementia prevention, intervention, and care" (The Lancet, 2024). For more details, refer to the full text here..

This study, led by researchers at the University of Strathclyde, aims to help people with dementia make informed choices about their care. Participants will try new tools that guide them in planning activities and tracking their progress toward personal health goals.

The study encourages regular activities that improve brain health and align with outcomes in nursing practice, as these are important for the research. However, participants have full control over which activities they choose and what goals they set. Participants can also choose to share their experiences anonymously with others in the study.

The tools being tested are designed to help people make their own health plans and decisions. These tools are not meant to replace regular care or medicines, which should continue as usual.

This research is important because it provides people with more ways to manage their health, while keeping them in control of their decisions. The study focuses on improving the tools through collaboration with participants, who will help shape the tools based on their experiences.

What is this study about?

This study aims to show how setting clear goals and tracking your progress can help you stay on the best path for your health. We will also identify which activities are helpful for reaching your goals and which ones might not help or could cause harm.

Why are we doing this?

Our research focuses on identifying the most effective strategies for supporting individuals in adopting lifestyle changes that may slow dementia progression or alleviate its symptoms. We aim to determine which tools best facilitate personal health goal planning and which activities enhance brain health. Additionally, we seek to clarify which activities may be ineffective. This study is crucial as it will empower individuals to make informed choices, ultimately improving their ability to manage both their health and dementia more effectively.

What will happen?

Your Care:

Joining this study won't change your usual healthcare. You will still receive all the regular treatments you need.

Can I leave the study?

Yes, you can stop at any time without giving a reason. You're free to ask us questions whenever you like.

Before You Join:

Please read this information carefully. Discuss it with friends, family, or caregivers if you wish. If there’s anything you don’t understand, just ask us!

Ready to Join?

If you'd like to participate and help us improve care for people with dementia, please Sign Up. We're excited to have you!

Study Timeline

This study takes about 12 weeks - this is from orientation and training with one of our team up so completion of the study and giving your assessment and feedback.

Week 1-2

Workshops: Introductions, co-design discussions, training and setting up about me record, first goals and activities.

Week 3-4

First iteration of setting activities for a two-week cycle. At the end of weeks 2, 3, and 4, participants will have assessments to track progress. After these assessments, there will be a check-in to review and update the tools as part of the co-design process (release iteration 1). There may be a short pause for development before continuing with weeks 5 and 6.

Week 5-6

The next two-week cycle will follow the same process, with activities set for weeks 5 and 6. Assessments will take place at the end of weeks 5 and 6. However, this cycle will also include a mid-study review assessment, allowing participants and researchers to evaluate overall progress and make any necessary adjustments to the study and tools for new (release iteration 2).

Week 7-8

The next two-week cycle will follow the same process, with activities set for weeks 7 and 8. Assessments will take place at the end of weeks 7 and 7. Check-in to review and update the tools as part of the co-design process (release iteration 3).

Week 9-10

The next two-week cycle will follow the same process to set activities for weeks 9 and 10. Assessments will take place at the end of weeks 9 and 10. Check-in to review and update the tools as part of the co-design process (release iteration 4).

Week 11-12

Check-ins, conclusion and Final Assessments

Your participation is very important and can make a big difference in this research. We appreciate your interest!

Get Involved