Dementia
Conditions
Brief summary
The purpose of this study is to develop an effective, low-cost, telephone-based intervention to reduce anxiety, depression, and feelings of burden and stress in caregivers of patients with dementia. This study will also determine whether the intervention can alter the course of dementia.
Detailed description
Caregivers are randomized to receive either telephone-based intervention or standard medical care. Both groups receive a resource packet containing information about caring for someone with dementia and a list of local resources. Caregivers in the intervention group also receive a series of telephone calls over 12 months, during which education, emotional support, and training in problem-solving skills are provided by trained therapists. Caregivers in the standard care group receive no additional psychosocial intervention. Participants are assessed pre-treatment, mid-treatment (6 months), post-treatment, and at a 3-month follow-up.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALCognitive-Behavioral Family Systems Intervention
Sponsors
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Rhode Island Hospital
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 90 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
Patient Inclusion Criteria: * DSM-IV diagnosis of dementia (vascular, mixed, or associated with Alzheimer's disease) * Lives in the community, including senior/retirement centers, but excluding nursing homes and assisted living centers * 50 years old or older * Resides in Southeastern New England Caregiver Inclusion Criteria: * Living with a person with dementia * Provides care for at least 6 months for at least 4 hours a day * English as primary language * Telephone access * Resides in Southeastern New England Patient
Exclusion criteria
* Major acute medical condition affecting independent functioning Caregiver
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed