Singapore study sheds light on Dementia's final chapter
NCT ID NCT03382223
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study follows 400 people with advanced dementia and their caregivers in Singapore to understand the care, costs, and challenges at the end of life. Researchers survey caregivers every 4 months and review medical bills to track quality of life, caregiver burden, and healthcare spending. The goal is to help families and doctors make better decisions about palliative care and improve support for both patients and caregivers.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Participants
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About 400 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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May 2018
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
Who is studied
This is a prospective study of primary informal caregivers of 400 patients dying with severe dementia (PDSD) who will be surveyed every 4 months for a period of 2 years or until the patient passes away and then post-death 6 weeks and 6 months to assess bereavement of the caregiver. Treating physicians of the patients will also be invited to take part in the study.
- Ages
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21 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria for primary informal caregivers are: 1. Age ≥ 21 years old 2. Singaporean/Singapore Permanent Resident 3. Intact cognition determined through the Abbreviated Mental Test (AMT) for those who are ≥ 65 years old 4. Patients who score 20 or more on QDRS answered by caregivers will be considered to have severe dementia 5. Main person or one of the main persons providing care to patient (e.g. accompanying patient for doctor's visits, helping patient with day to day activities) 6. Main person or one of the main persons ensuring the provision of care to patient (e.g. supervision of foreign domestic worker so that patient is looked after) 7. Main person or one of the main persons involved in making decisions regarding treatment patient receives Exclusion Criteria for primary informal caregivers are: 1. Caregivers ≥ 65 years old with cognitive impairment or serious mental illness determined through AMT 2. Foreign domestic workers/maids Inclusion Criteria for physicians are: (a) Caregivers of patients they are treating are enrolled in the study
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Alzheimer's Disease Association
Singapore, 339940, Singapore
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Care for the Elderly Foundation
Singapore, 427411, Singapore
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Changi General Hospital
Singapore, 529889, Singapore
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Institute of Mental Health
Singapore, 539747, Singapore
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Jurong Community Hospital
Singapore, 609606, Singapore
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Khoo Teck Puat Hospital
Singapore, 768828, Singapore
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Singapore General Hospital
Singapore, 169608, Singapore
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St. Luke's Hospital
Singapore, 659674, Singapore
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Tsao Foundation
Singapore, 168730, Singapore
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