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AI-CONECT: Conversational AI for Early Dementia Prevention

This study is looking at whether an AI-based conversational intervention can help older adults who are socially isolated and have mild cognitive impairment (MCI). MCI means you have some memory or thinking problems, but they aren't severe enough to be dementia. The AI-based conversational intervention involves one-on-one conversations designed to stimulate your brain. Researchers want to see if this intervention can improve your confidence in social situations (social self-efficacy) and increase how often you contact friends or family. You might be able to join if you are 75 or older, have MCI, and are considered socially isolated. The study aims to enroll 80 participants, but its current status is unclear.

Study design
This is a randomized controlled trial, meaning participants will be assigned by chance to different groups. It plans to enroll 80 participants.
What's involved
The primary endpoints are measured from enrollment to the end of the intervention at 8 weeks.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
The study measures outcomes for 8 weeks after enrollment, until the end of the intervention.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT07701668

AI-CONECT: A Conversational AI for Early Dementia Prevention in Socially-Isolated Older Adults

Not Yet Recruiting
NAAges 75+InterventionalPrevention
Massachusetts General Hospital
~80 participants
Updated 2026-07-14 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:AI-based conversational intervention

At a glance

Recruiting sites
0 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Social Self-Efficacy
Measured over From enrollment to the end of intervention at 8 weeks
+1 more outcome measured

Conditions

Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)
Social Isolation

Explore related trials

Mild cognitive disorder

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Massachusetts1

Study leadership

  • Hiroko H Dodge, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Massachusetts General Hospital

Who to contact

Catherine Young
[email protected]
617-724-2428
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Aged 75+
Clinical diagnosis of MCI, or MMSE ≥ 24 or MoCA ≥ 18 (i.e., early MCI)
Identified as socially isolated by at least one of the two criteria: (1)score ≤ 12 on the 6-item Lubben Social Network Scale (LSNS-6); (2) engages in conversations lasting 30 minutes or longer, no more than twice per week, per subject self-report
GDS-15 (15-item Geriatric Depression Scale) at/below 9 (not severely depressed).
Social self-efficacy mean ≤ 8 (on the 0-10 scale) across the 6-item Social Self-Efficacy Scale at screening, indicating low confidence in social interaction.
Ability to understand the research consent form.
Ability to connect a tablet to the Internet.

Exclusion

Diagnosed with dementia such as AD, ischemic vascular dementia, normal pressure hydrocephalus, or Parkinson's disease.
Schizophrenia, or other major psychiatric disorder defined by DSM-IV criteria.
Medications: Frequent use of high doses of analgesics; Use of sedative medications except for those used occasionally for sleep (≤2 per week); Use of unstable dosing of Cholinesterase inhibitors (need to be stable dosing for 2 months).

What this trial measures

  • Social Self-EfficacyFrom enrollment to the end of intervention at 8 weeks

    Participants' self-efficacy on social interactions using an instrument adapted from the Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale (EXSE, by McAuley, 1993). The scale comprises three items of confidence: interacting with others regularly, engaging with others when feeling less connected, and engaging others in conversations. The three items are adapted to social interaction in person and using technology (e.g., video calls), respectively. Each item is rated from 0 (not at all confident) to 10 (completely confident). A mean score is computed across the six items (range 0-10), with higher scores indicating greater social self-efficacy.

  • Time contacting friends or familyFrom enrollment to the end of intervention at 8 weeks

    Change in weekly time contacting friends or family.