cMIND AI Web Tool Usability Study (Hong Kong)
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: Web-Based AI Dietary Assessment System.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), Healthy Aging, Nutrition. Basic parameters: from 60 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Center list to be confirmed — check the primary protocol.
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Official title
Development and Validation of a Web-Based AI System for Assessing the Cantonese-Style Mediterranean Diet (cMIND) Index
Overview
This study is testing a new web-based tool that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to help older adults in Hong Kong check how healthy their Cantonese-style meals are for brain health. The tool is based on the cMIND diet, a Chinese-adapted version of a known healthy eating pattern that may support memory and thinking skills. Participants will use the web app to take photos of their usual meals for at least 10 days over two weeks. The AI will automatically identify ingredients and give a score showing how well the meal follows the cMIND diet. The study will also ask participants to complete a short questionnaire and a brief interview to find out how easy and useful the tool is for older adults. The purpose of this small study is to see whether the AI tool is user-friendly and acceptable for older people. Results will help improve the tool for future use to support healthy ageing and brain health.
Detailed description
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is common among older adults and can progress to dementia. Diet plays an important role in brain health. The cMIND diet is a culturally adapted Chinese version of the Mediterranean-DASH diet, designed to support cognitive function. However, many older adults find it difficult to track their adherence to this diet using traditional methods.
This study is developing and testing a simple web-based AI tool to help older adults in Hong Kong monitor their Cantonese-style meals. Users take photos of their meals (such as dim sum, stir-fries, or congee) using the web app. The AI automatically identifies ingredients in mixed dishes and calculates a cMIND adherence score (0-12), giving immediate personalised feedback on how well the meal supports brain health.
The main part of the study is a small usability and acceptability test. We will recruit 20 community-dwelling older adults aged 60 years and above who regularly eat Cantonese-style meals. Participants should not have a self-reported diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer's disease, or other psychiatric/medical conditions that would interfere with participation or valid outcome assessment.
Eligible participants will receive a 20-minute training session on how to use the web tool. They will then use the app to photograph their usual meals for at least 10 days over a two-week period, without changing their normal eating habits.
At the end of the two weeks, participants will complete a short online questionnaire about the ease of use and usefulness of the tool. They will also take part in one short individual interview (about 20 minutes, audio-recorded) to share their experiences and suggestions.
This low-risk study aims to understand whether older adults find the AI tool easy and acceptable to use in daily life. The results will help improve the prototype for future larger studies. All data will be kept strictly confidential, and ethics approval has been obtained from the Hong Kong Metropolitan University Research Ethics Committee (Reference: HE-FRSE/2026/08).
Interventions
- Other Web-Based AI Dietary Assessment System
A web-based AI software prototype designed specifically for older adults in Hong Kong. Users upload photographs of their usual Cantonese-style mixed meals (e.g., dim sum assortments, stir-fries with overlapping ingredients, or congee with toppings). The AI system automatically recognises multiple ingredients and sauces, estimates nutritional content using local food composition data, and calculates a cMIND adherence score (range 0-12). Immediate personalised feedback on dietary quality for brain
Primary outcome measures
- Usability and Acceptability of the Web-Based AI Tool [Time frame: Assessed at the end of the 2-week testing period]
Secondary outcome measures (2)
- Feasibility of Meal Photo-Taking [Time frame: Over the 2-week testing period]
- Qualitative User Feedback [Time frame: At the end of the 2-week testing period]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Aged 60 years or above
- Community-dwelling in Hong Kong
- Able to provide informed consent
- Basic ability to use a smartphone or tablet (with assistance if needed)
- Consuming Cantonese-style meals as the primary dietary pattern for ≥ 5 days per week for the past 3 months or longer)
Exclusion criteria
- Severe visual or motor impairment that prevents taking meal photos even with assistance
- Self-reported diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer's disease, or other psychiatric/medical conditions that would interfere with participation or valid outcome assessment
- Current participation in other interventional nutrition or technology studies
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: Yes
Study design
- Observational model
- Case-only
Study locations
Center list to be confirmed — check the primary protocol.
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07735013 · FRSF/2026/08