MassaChusetts General Hospital ROybal CeNter For BehavIoral Dyadic ResEarch in Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (CONFIDE-ADRD): Behavioral Intervention Development Core

PROJECT SUMMARY (BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTION DEVELOPMENT CORE): The mission of the “MassaChusetts General Hospital ROybal CeNter For BehavIoral Dyadic ResEarch in Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias” (CONFIDE-ADRD) is the development, optimization, testing and implementation of dyadic behavioral prevention interventions (DBPIs) across the spectrum of ADRD in both hospital and community settings,

to improve health and prevent negative individual and dyadic health outcomes. The Behavioral Intervention Development Core (BIDC) will support the CONFIDE-ADRD mission through 3 specific aims: Aim 1: Accelerate translation of DBPIs across the NIH Stage Model for steadfast implementation; Aim 2: Facilitate a program of dementia DBPI mechanistic pilot

studies using a novel accelerator model for team project management and continuous performance review with feedback and plan for skill improvement to support pilot funded investigators to conduct rigorous dementia DBPIs with efficient translation; and Aim 3: Catalyze translation and foster pilot program synergies across MGH/HMS, Roybal Centers and

nationally. We will distribute a national call for applications. Investigators will submit a letter of intent. We will meet with

selected investigators to review aims, explore available resources and expertise, establish a plan for aim completion and diversity in the sample, and determine a timeline for proposal development and pathway progression including subsequent

funding for the next stage of work. Meetings will be over zoom. This early support will ensure that the applicants fully

understand our conceptual framework including the NIH stage model, definition of dyadic research, and dyadic theoretical processes, so that they submit competitive, rigorous applications. Pilot awardees will interact with CONFIDE-ADRD

weekly for the funded pilot year(s) so that they: 1) are connected to the broader resources and expertise in DBPIs; 2) receive

directed support to overcome potential barriers; and 3) develop a network of other dementia pilot awardees through MADRC, RCMAR, NIA dementia palliative R25, and Roybal Centers. We will support Pilot Awardees to submit their subsequent

NIH grant. Per the RFA, each pilot will last between 1-3-years and will be fully powered. We received 32 applications for

our first call for applications and selected 2. The first pilot (social worker-led) will test the preliminary efficacy (NIH 1B)

of Let’s Talk Tech, a dyadic intervention to support conversations about the use of technology in dementia dyads. The second

pilot (psychologist-led) will first culturally adapt SHARE, an evidence-based program to support conversations around care

values and preferences early after dementia diagnoses, for the needs of African American patient-partner dyads, and then

pilot test (NIH 1B) its preliminary efficacy. Activities in this aim will strengthen synergies across MGH/HMS, locally and

nationally thus facilitating greater collective impact of our core funds. Awardees will form a cohort of fellows who will in turn expend the Center’s expertise, reach and visibility.