# Multi-Stakeholder Engagement for Interdisciplinary Telehealth in Lewy Body Dementia

> **NIH NIH K23** · UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA · 2024 · $138,960

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
Lewy body dementia (LBD) is the second most common neurodegenerative dementia in the United States and
one of the Alzheimer’s disease-related dementias (ADRDs). It affects 1.4 million Americans and their
caregivers. Individuals with LBD are affected by both physical and cognitive impairments, and eventually
require continuous supervision leading to high caregiver burden. A patient-centric specialized interdisciplinary
care model, the Neuromedicine Service and Science Hub model, addresses physical, cognitive, nutritional,
social support, and caregiver needs. However, this model of care is not easily accessible or offered across the
country. The overarching goal of my proposal is to improve patient and caregiver health outcomes by
increasing access to specialty care for individuals with LBD and their caregivers. The objective of the proposed
study is to convert this in-person patient-centric interdisciplinary care model to a virtual platform using
stakeholder engagement (Aim 1). After adapting the care model to virtual delivery, I will conduct a pilot
randomized, controlled clinical trial including 30 individuals with LBD and their caregivers for 6 months to
determine the feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness of this intervention, as well as to obtain pilot
outcome data (Aim 2). Additionally, the study will pilot the usability of a wearable sensor to objectively assess
patient outcomes, including life space mobility (Aim 3). Life space mobility, a measure of the area in which
someone moves through, closely correlates with quality of life, falls, and mortality. My research goal is to
establish and iteratively improve a virtual interdisciplinary model of care allowing patients with LBD and their
caregivers to access sub-specialty care from their home. Through this K23, I have organized an
interdisciplinary mentoring committee and training plan to develop expertise in pragmatic clinical trial design,
dissemination and implementation science, qualitative research methods, data analysis, and research conduct.
The mentoring team consists of world-renowned experts in interdisciplinary models of care in
neurodegenerative conditions (Michael Okun, Benzi Kluger), stakeholder engagement and qualitative research
in LBD (Melissa Armstrong, James Galvin), dissemination and implementation science (Stephanie Staras) and
wearable technology (Todd Manini). This research will be conducted at the Fixel Institute for Neurological
Diseases at the University of Florida, which has the integrated telemedicine capabilities, interdisciplinary care
framework, and clinical/research resources to conduct this study. The expertise and skills gained by this 5 year
career development award will help accomplish my long-term career goal to become an independent
investigator researching effective care delivery to individuals with LBD and their caregivers.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10851981
- **Project number:** 5K23AG073575-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
- **Principal Investigator:** Bhavana Patel
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $138,960
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-09-30 → 2026-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10851981

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10851981, Multi-Stakeholder Engagement for Interdisciplinary Telehealth in Lewy Body Dementia (5K23AG073575-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10851981. Licensed CC0.

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