Over 20,000 research participants recruited through Join Dementia Research
We’re pleased to announce that over 20,000 study participants have been involved in vital research thanks to Join Dementia Research.
The innovative service allows anyone to register their interest in dementia research so that they can be matched to potential studies they may be eligible to take part in.
Stats released today, Monday 5 August 2019, show 20,167 participants in total have now been recruited to studies.
This is wonderful news, and an important milestone for Join Dementia Research. Launched back in February 2015 in response to the Challenge on Dementia, the service has made it easier than ever for people living in the UK to take part in dementia research.
We would like to sincerely thank all the volunteers, researchers, champions and partners who have given their time so far, whether by conducting or taking part in studies, helping spread the word about the service and research opportunities, or by supporting in other ways.
Every person who has taken part in research has played a key role in helping increase our understanding of what causes dementia, so that scientists can develop effective treatments, improve care and even one day find a cure.
Even those volunteers who haven’t yet taken part in a study are helping researchers. Simply registering with Join Dementia Research helps researchers to see how many suitable volunteers they are likely to reach with their study.
This means they can check whether a study is feasible before they set it up, allowing them to plan in the most effective way so that their studies have the best chance of making a difference.
Research for everyone
This milestone has been reached because of the range of studies which have used the service to date.
While some participants have taken part in drug trials, scans or genetic and cognitive tests, others have helped with studies to improve the quality of life of people with dementia.
Many have taken part in surveys, online activities and questionnaire studies as well. Recent examples include the Bristol Survey of Dementia Attitudes and GameChanger, a brain games app developed by researchers at the University of Oxford and supported by Alzheimer’s Society.
If you have matched to a survey, questionnaire or online activity on Join Dementia Research but haven’t yet taken part, please consider doing so.
Helping out from home in this way can be just as valuable as taking part in a study in a hospital. Surveys, questionnaires and other online activities help give scientists the knowledge they need to improve dementia prevention, diagnosis, care and treatments.
Looking to the future
This is an important milestone, but we still need more people to sign up to Join Dementia Research and get involved in studies.
The more people who register, the more studies can find the participants they need and reach their potential.
So if you haven’t already, please sign up, and if you have, please help us spread the word so we can bring more volunteers and researchers together.
Together we can make a difference to the lives of everyone affected by dementia.