Online Conversations for Cognitive Health: A Culturally Adapted Intervention for Older Chinese Immigrants

TL;DR

A culturally adapted video chat program for older Chinese immigrants showed promise in reducing loneliness and improving mood, with plans for a larger trial to test cognitive benefits.

Contribution

C-CONECT adapts a proven video chat intervention for older Chinese immigrants, addressing cultural and linguistic barriers to improve cognitive and social health.

Findings

88% of participants preferred Mandarin, and 90% completed the weekly video chats.

62% of participants reported reduced depressive symptoms after the six-week intervention.

Qualitative feedback highlighted warmth and support from conversations, with memory improvement as a key motivation.

Abstract

Social isolation is a major risk factor for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD), particularly among older Chinese immigrants who face language barriers and social adjustment challenges. To address this, we developed C-CONECT (Chinese Conversation Engagement Co-design and Pilot Test), an adaptation of the I-CONECT study (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02871921, PI: Dodge), which previously demonstrated that user-friendly video chats could improve cognition and social satisfaction in socially isolated older adults. C-CONECT tailored this intervention to the cultural and linguistic needs of older Chinese immigrants. Participants engaged in 30-minute video conversations four times per week over six weeks with trained research staff. Outcomes included loneliness, depressive symptoms, social isolation, and cognitive function, assessed before and after the intervention. We conducted qualitative interviews to understand participant experiences more in-depth. Eight participants (mean age 76, 75% female) enrolled, with seven completing the study. Most (88%) preferred Mandarin, and the chat completion rate was 90%. After the intervention, 62% of participants reported reduced depressive symptoms. Interviews revealed that participants found the conversations warm and supportive, with memory improvement being their primary motivation for participation. High engagement and positive feedback suggest the feasibility and acceptability of C-CONECT in this population. These findings support the potential for a future randomized clinical trial to assess its impact on cognitive function. By culturally adapting evidence-based interventions, we can expand access to effective behavioral health strategies for underrepresented groups, ultimately contributing to ADRD prevention.