Spinal Cord Diseases, Spinal Cord Injuries
Conditions
Keywords
Caregivers, Spouse, Partner, Caregiver Burden, Spinal Cord Injury, Quality of Life, Internet Based Intervention, Grief, Emotions, Clinical Trial
Brief summary
The purpose of this research study is to compare the effect of two different types of education and support programs for partner caregivers of people with spinal cord injury (SCI).
Detailed description
SCI particularly affects partners (spouses or other types of significant others), as they face changes in relationship dynamics and identity as they take on a caregiver role. The purpose of this research study is to compare the effect of two different types of education and support programs for partner caregivers of people with spinal cord injury (SCI).
Interventions
OTHERWeb-Based Support and Education Program 1
The classes will discuss topics related to caregiving for someone with a spinal cord injury. During these classes, participants will be given information by the class instructor and will also participate in discussions and other learning activities with the rest of the group. Participants will be assigned activities to complete at home for about one hour per week that relate to the topics discussed in class.
OTHERWeb-Based Support and Education Program 2
The classes will discuss topics related to caregiving for someone with a spinal cord injury. During these classes, participants will be given information by the class instructor and will also participate in discussions and other learning activities with the rest of the group. Participants will be assigned activities to complete at home for about one hour per week that relate to the topics discussed in class.
Sponsors
Kessler Foundation
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* At least 18 years old * Fluent in English (reading and writing) * Romanic partner of a person with SCI (regardless of martial status) for at least one year prior to injury * Live in a private residence with their partner with SCI * Partner is at least 3 months post discharge from inpatient rehabilitation * At least 6 months since their partner's injury * Provide care to their partner with SCI on a daily basis * Have access to the internet in a private location
Exclusion criteria
* Participant reports a diagnosis of a schizoaffective disorder, bipolar personality disorder, or severe depression * History of hospitalization for depression treatment
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Behavioral Inhibition/ Behavioral Activation Scale (BIS/BAS) score | Average scores obtained during baseline (pre-program) compared to scores obtained immediately after program completion. | Change in behavior and emotion, measured by the Behavioral Inhibition/ Behavioral Activation Scale. The extent to which behavior and emotions change over time will be measured with the Behavioral Inhibition/ Behavioral Activation Scale. The BIS/BAS scale is composed of three subscales; (1) drive, which measures the persistent pursuit of goals, (2) fun seeking, which measures the desire for new rewards and the willingness to approach a potentially rewarding event, and (3) reward responsiveness, which measures positive responses to rewarding outcomes. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Satisfaction with Life Scale scores | End of program versus baseline; 3-months post intervention versus baseline, 6-months post intervention versus baseline | 5-item measure of the concept of global life satisfaction before and after participation in the program. |
| Change in Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) scores | End of program versus baseline; 3-months post intervention versus baseline, 6-months post intervention versus baseline | 22-item questionnaire that assesses caregivers' perceptions of burden before and after participation in the program. |
| Changs in Duke Social Support Index (DSSI) scores | End of program versus baseline; 3-months post intervention versus baseline, 6-months post intervention versus baseline | 11-item short form that assesses perceived support and non-support from various people in life before and after participation in the program. |
| Change in Patient Health Questionnaire scores | End of program versus baseline; 3-months post intervention versus baseline, 6-months post intervention versus baseline | A self-report questionnaire with subscales for depression and anxiety-related symptoms before and after participation in the program. |
| Change in Marit-Meuser Caregiver Grief Inventory (CGI) scores | End of program versus baseline; 3-months post intervention versus baseline, 6-months post intervention versus baseline | 50-item inventory scored on a 5-point Likert scale, ranging from strongly disagree to strongly agree, used to assess grief before and after participation in the program. |
| Change in Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale scores | End of program versus baseline; 3-months post intervention versus baseline, 6-months post intervention versus baseline | 10-item self-report instrument that assesses resilience before and after participation in the program. |
| Change in Couples Satisfaction Index scores | End of program versus baseline; 3-months post intervention versus baseline, 6-months post intervention versus baseline | 8-item self-report questionnaire assessing perceived strength, comfort, reward, happiness, warmth of relationship to one's partner before and after participation in the program. |
| Long-Term Change in Behavioral Inhibition/ Behavioral Activation Scale (BIS/BAS) score | 3-months post intervention versus baseline, 6-months post intervention versus baseline | Change in behavior and emotion, measured by the Behavioral Inhibition/ Behavioral Activation Scale. The extent to which behavior and emotions change over time will be measured with the Behavioral Inhibition/ Behavioral Activation Scale. The BIS/BAS scale is composed of three subscales; (1) drive, which measures the persistent pursuit of goals, (2) fun seeking, which measures the desire for new rewards and the willingness to approach a potentially rewarding event, and (3) reward responsiveness, which measures positive responses to rewarding outcomes. |
| Change in NIH Toolbox Loneliness Survey (Fixed Form) scores | End of program versus baseline; 3-months post intervention versus baseline, 6-months post intervention versus baseline | Self-report measure of perceptions of loneliness using a 5-item fixed length form before and after participation in the program. |
Countries
United States
Contacts
Primary ContactJeanne Zanca, PhD, MPT
Outcome results
None listed