An online program for carers of people with dementia on management of behavioural and psychological symptoms

In carers of people with dementia, what is the effect of an online program on managing behaviours common in dementia compared with an education website on levels of carer stress related to behavioural and psychological symptoms?

Status

Completed

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ANZCTR

Registry ID

ACTRN12615000509561

Enrollment

Registered

2015-05-21

Start date

2015-05-04

Completion date

2016-01-20

Last updated

2020-01-13

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

None listed

Brief summary

Dementia is the single greatest cause of disability in older Australians and the third leading cause of disability burden in Australia. Due to our aging population the number of Australians living with dementia is expected to increase rapidly over the next decade placing additional burden on the health system and on the unpaid/family carers of people with dementia. Behavioural changes occur in 90% of people with dementia. These changes are stressful and challenging for carers. The purpose of this study is to examine an online educational training program that teaches carers of people with dementia ways to manage common behaviours. It is expected that the program will reduce carer burden and stress.

Interventions

The online program for carers of people with dementia is comprised of an educational fact sheet explaining (i) dementia, (ii) behaviour changes in people with dementia, and (iii) how to plan activities for people with dementia. It also includes 20 animations exploring behaviours common in dementia and 20 associated problem-solving worksheets that allow the participant to apply the videos to their own situation. Carers can access the program as many times as they would like by logging in online o

Study design

Allocation

Randomised controlled trial

Intervention model

Parallel

Primary purpose

Educational / counselling / training

Masking

Open (masking not used)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Age

18 Years to No maximum

Healthy volunteers

Yes

Inclusion criteria

*Unpaid/family carer of a person with moderate to severe dementia *Australian resident *18 years of age or older *Fluent in written English *Access to internet with PDF reader and valid email address *Willingness to give written informed consent and willingness to participate in and comply with the study.

Exclusion criteria

Those who do not fulfil inclusion criteria

Outcome results