# Developing a widely-useable wearable Circadian Profiling System to assess 24-hour behavioral rhythm disruption in people with dementia and their family caregivers

> **NIH NIH R41** · ACTIVITY RHYTHM SOLUTIONS CORPORATION · 2022 · $127,886

## Abstract

Supplement Project Summary: The parent study (1R41AG069596-01A1) is prototyping and performing initial
user testing of a novel wearable-based monitoring system. The system, which we call the Circadian Activity
Profiling System (CAPS) for Dementia Management (CAPS-DM) is designed to assess 24-hour behavioral
rhythm disruption in people with dementia and their family caregivers. One use of the CAPS is to personalize/
adaptively tailor behavioral interventions for families affected by Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias
(ADRDs). The parent award aims to (1) prepare the CAPS prototype for use by families with ADRDs; and (2)
evaluate user adherence/potential health effects of use. While we are on track to complete this scope (albeit
delayed, see above), the likelihood that user testing will be successful would be substantially increased by
directly addressing two challenges that were brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. These two unanticipated
challenges are the aims of this supplement award. We propose Aim 1 to transition our trial of the CAPS to be
conducted all remotely/virtually/online. Completing the process of switching to all remote study administration
prior to this initial test among ADRD users will increase the likelihood of a successful user test by: (1) ensuring
enrollment success in the COVID-19 environment (increase our reach and number of participant screens); and
(2) improving the ability of the app to “standalone” (i.e., be useful to ADRD families without substantial aid from
in-person/telephone user support). To enable an all remotely conducted study, we propose this supplement to:
facilitate online-based recruitment; add online-based research assessments; and make the CAPS App stand-
alone through enhancements to both set up and educational materials. The second challenge/Aim 2 of this
supplement is to resolve our pending issue related to hiring a single part-time software engineer with an
extremely diverse skill set. The market for software engineers has becoming increasing competitive as remote
services increased across industries during the COVID-19 pandemic. The parent award included modest
support for a part-time software developer, but not sufficient funds to hire a developer with the following unique
skills: server-based database analytics and iPhone-based user interface/interaction design. This supplement
award would increase our ability to hire qualified software development support by: (1) contracting with an
Information Technology staffing service; and (2) re-allocating development work to two part-time developers,
thereby no longer requiring the candidate to have skills in distinct work areas (design and server/database
analytics). In summary, this supplement award would increase the likelihood that the parent project is
successful by ensuring that we are able to recruit the sample of ADRD user-testers; enhancing their user-
experience to be on-par with modern software application; and amending job descriptions for...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10612523
- **Project number:** 3R41AG069596-01A1S1
- **Recipient organization:** ACTIVITY RHYTHM SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
- **Principal Investigator:** Stephen F Smagula
- **Activity code:** R41 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $127,886
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2021-08-01 → 2023-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10612523

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10612523, Developing a widely-useable wearable Circadian Profiling System to assess 24-hour behavioral rhythm disruption in people with dementia and their family caregivers (3R41AG069596-01A1S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-12 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10612523. Licensed CC0.

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