
An innovative conversational AI system developed by researchers at North Dakota State University is designed to support caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. ADQueryAid offers real-time, compassionate assistance to lighten the burden of caregiving and improve the quality of life for families everywhere.
Imagine caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease, facing constant questions, challenges and uncertainty. Now, imagine having a trusted companion, a friendly and knowledgeable assistant, to guide you through each step.
That’s the inspiration behind ADQueryAid, an innovative conversational AI system developed by researchers at North Dakota State University. Designed to support caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, ADQueryAid offers real-time, compassionate assistance to lighten the burden of caregiving and improve the quality of life for families everywhere.
“ADQueryAid has the potential to transform the caregiving landscape for Alzheimer’s,” said Wordh Ul Hasan, a doctoral student in the College of Engineering. “By combining advanced AI with user-friendly features, we’re empowering family members, often without medical training, to provide better support. Ultimately, our work aims to reduce caregiver stress while enhancing the quality of life for those with ADRD.”
Bridging the caregiving gap with AI
Many caregivers for individuals with ADRD lack formal medical training, making access to accurate, practical information crucial. ADQueryAid addresses this need by providing personalized, context-aware guidance for everyday challenges such as managing disruptive behaviors or promoting healthy eating habits. By integrating advanced prompt engineering, a curated knowledge graph of evidence-based resources, and an intuitive user interface, ADQueryAid enables caregivers to ask specific questions and receive clear, actionable advice tailored to their situation.
“Designing solutions for caregivers of Alzheimer's patients is crucial, as it not only alleviates their day-to-day struggles but also ensures a more supportive environment for patients,” said Kimia Tuz Zaman, a doctoral student in the College of Engineering. “AI-driven tools like ADQueryAid have the potential to reshape caregiving by offering practical, empathetic guidance when it’s needed most.”
To test its effectiveness, researchers conducted scenario-based tests and user studies with caregiver support groups. Participants used ADQueryAid in real-life caregiving situations and compared it to a general-purpose conversational AI. ADQueryAid significantly outperformed the baseline in usability and user satisfaction, thanks to its ability to deliver targeted, empathetic guidance grounded in validated medical knowledge.
A research breakthrough
This innovative work was conducted under the supervision of NDSU professor of computer science Dr. Jen Li, whose lab is renowned for its groundbreaking research in AI applications in healthcare.
The team’s findings, recently published in the prestigious npj Biomedical Innovations journal, underscore the potential of specialized AI tools in healthcare settings. By focusing on intuitive question prompting, accurate information retrieval, and empathetic responses, ADQueryAid bridges critical information gaps for caregivers while reducing the emotional and logistical stress of caregiving. Read the full study here.
Looking ahead
The researchers have big plans for ADQueryAid’s future.
Expanded Medical Knowledge: Incorporating a broader range of caregiving needs and co-existing conditions to provide even more comprehensive support.
Multimodal Interaction: Exploring voice and video interfaces for easier caregiver interactions.
Long-Term Studies: Assessing how sustained use of ADQueryAid impacts caregiver well-being and patient outcomes over time.
With these advancements, the team hopes to create an even more robust and accessible tool, ultimately setting a new standard for caregiving support.
A new era in caregiving
The success of ADQueryAid highlights the transformative potential of AI in healthcare. By tailoring advanced technology to meet the unique challenges faced by caregivers, NDSU researchers are paving the way for a future where caregiving is less stressful and more effective.
For families navigating the complexities of Alzheimer’s and related dementias, ADQueryAid offers not just practical help but also hope.
This groundbreaking research was supported by National Science Foundation Award #2218046 and the National Institutes of Health U01AG088076.