Going From Zero to 100 in Remote Dementia Research: A Practical Guide.

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Gerontology
• Psychology

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic necessitates remote approaches for dementia research.
• Transitioning in-person studies to remote formats presents unique challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide recommendations for conducting remote dementia research.
• To ensure the validity and accessibility of remote dementia research methods.

Main Methods:

• Recommending outcome measures with established psychometric properties for remote delivery.
• Advocating for participant-centered adaptations in remote research methods.
• Emphasizing the need for assessing participant technology access and training requirements.

Main Results:

• Validated remote measures are preferred over adapted in-person scales without equivalency evidence.
• Flexible remote research designs should prioritize participant benefit and accommodate varying technological capabilities.
• Individualized training and consideration of sensory impairments are crucial for successful remote data collection.

Conclusions:

• Successful remote dementia research requires adapting methods to participants, not vice versa.
• Thorough assessment of technology infrastructure, participant training, and sensory loss is essential.
• Telephone-only research options must be considered for accessibility.