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Bruyère Health Research Institute

Participate in Research

Be a part of creating new knowledge and improving care

The Bruyère Health Research Institute conducts life changing research connected with Bruyère Health's clinical priorities that directly impacts and improves people’s health and care. We are transforming care each day thanks to the many people who choose to be a part of research.


You can be a part of life changing research too!


Over the years, thousands of people in the Bruyère Health community have participated in research studies conducted by the Research Institute. Being a part of research might mean participating in interviews or focus groups, testing new drugs or technologies, or simply staying connected with us through your or your loved one’s care journey.


Your contribution to research is building better health care practices and treatment for all Canadians.

 

Studies currently recruiting: 

Use of Smart Home Technology - Looking for caregivers of people living with dementia

Study Title:

 

Looking for Caregivers of People Living With Dementia to Provide Feedback on the Use of Smart Home Technology

 

Study Description:

Smart home technology involves using sensors to track activity, sleep, medication use, etc. Artificial intelligence may be able to help predict caregiver burden by using data acquired by these sensors. The objective of this study is to ask caregivers their opinions on the use of smart home technology to predict caregiver burden.

 

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Caregivers (past or present) of an individual with a diagnosis of cognitive impairment or dementia

 

What to expect:

  • A 60-minute interview over Zoom to provide your opinions on caregiver burden and the use of smart home technology
  • A gift card will be provided to compensate for your time

Recruitment Close Date:

May 31, 2026


Principal Investigator:
Dr. Neil Thomas

Contact:
Research Team – Emma Gal-Dev and Anupriya Kakkar
REB#:
M16-25-006. This study has been reviewed and approved by the Bruyère Health Research Ethics Board.

Testing a Memory Support System for mild cognitive impairment

Study Title:

Implementation of the Memory Support System: A Feasibility Study


Study Description:
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) represents a risk factor to develop dementia and leads to some difficulty in daily functioning and caregiver burden. Interventions based on compensatory cognitive strategies, such as the Memory Support System (MSS), may help improve daily functioning and caregiver burden. The MSS is calendar-based intervention to train people with MCI to complete personal goals and daily tasks independently.

 

We are looking to evaluate the feasibility of implementing the MSS, an evidence-based behavioral intervention, for individuals with MCI in a memory clinic in Ottawa, with the eventual goal of offering the MSS as part of a clinical program at Bruyère.

 

Participation in the study will involve:
  • 10 1-hour training sessions to learn to use the MSS (2-3 sessions/week)
  • Brief cognitive screening and questionnaires about how well you use the MSS, daily functioning, mood, and quality of life, among others.
  • Enrollment and participation are completely voluntary and free of charge.

Eligibility Criteria:

  •  Have a diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment
  • Have a support partner willing to participate (spouse, family member, friend)
This list is not exhaustive. Please contact the team for more details.

 

Recruitment Close Date:  

To be determined: If no end date has been provided. 

 

Principal Investigator:
Dr. Neil Thomas, Dr. Octavio Santos

 

Contact:

Fjolla Berbatovci
Bruyere Health Research Institute
613-562-6262 ext. 1236
FBerbatovci@bruyere.org

 

REB#:

M16-23-024. This study has been approved by the Bruyère Research Ethics Board.

Memory Research Recruitment Registry

Anyone interested in being a part of research can contact the Memory Research Recruitment Registry (MRRR) to join the registry. Many studies need to look at both people who are healthy and who are living with cognitive impairment.


Our registry helps to match potential participants with ongoing and upcoming studies being run at Bruyère Health.

 

How do I join?

Contact the MRRR and ask to be added to the registry. A member of our team will ask you a few questions to help determine which studies you may be eligible for. This information is kept in a secure file at Bruyère Health and can only be accessed by authorized MRRR staff to connect studies with prospective participants.

 

When a study becomes available that fits your responses, our recruitment team will reach out to see if you would like to participate. Whether you would like to participate in a study or not is up to you, and we only ever contact you for studies that match your profile!


Every study has its own eligibility criteria, but you might qualify to participate if you are:

 

  • diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment, dementia, or Alzheimer’s disease
  • a care partner to someone with a cognitive diagnosis
  • an older adult without cognitive impairment
  • able to attend visits at Bruyère Health


Our research team can help you determine if you qualify for a study.

 

Think this could be your contribution to research? Contact us:

613-562-6328

memoryresearch@bruyere.org

 

 

Do you have questions or concerns?

Participation in research is voluntary, and the Bruyère Health Research Institute works to ensure all participants who choose to be a part of research feel safe, comfortable, and fully informed during the process.

 

The Bruyère Health Research Institute is committed to ensuring that participation in research is appropriately monitored. Visit our Bruyère Health Research Ethics Board webpage to learn more about how we ensure studies are ethical and safe.


Learn more about the research happening at Bruyère Health through our News and Stories.

 

 

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