This is a VIRTUAL three-month intervention study of the effects of a smartphone application (HippoCamera) on personal event memory in teens and young adults with Down syndrome.
Who can participate in this study?
Teens and young adults with Down syndrome between the ages of 15 and 25. Participants must have daily access to a smart phone and be able to navigate the memory application independently.
Who cannot participate in this study?
Individuals with an autism diagnosis will not be able to participate in the current study. Participants may also be excluded if they are unable to operate the memory application after training with the research staff.
Where does this study take place?
This is a 100% virtual study. Participants will complete 2-3 1-2 hour zoom sessions with the research team, and then will be asked to complete the 3-month intervention using the smart phone application in their own homes.
What activities are involved in this study?
During the 2-3 zoom sessions with the research team, participants will be asked to complete memory tests and other measures to assess their overall cognitive function. Participants and their parent/guardian will also be asked to respond to surveys about the participant's well-being and independence, and to go through training for the smart phone application. The three-month intervention will all take place in the participant's own home. They will be asked to log onto the smart phone application for about 5 minutes a day to record a short video of an event from their day and to view 2-5 prior videos.
What is the expected time commitment of this study?
The participant and their parent/guardian should expect to spend approximately 3-6 hours total in zoom meetings with the research team. They should also expect to commit about 5 minutes each day during the 3-month intervention.
What languages does this study support?
English
Is compensation provided?
Yes
If you have any questions or are interested in joining the Enhancing personal event memory in teens and young adults with Down syndrome study, please contact: Dr. Jaclyn Ford at learningmemory@bc.edu or call (617)552-6949.