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A benefit-finding intervention for family caregivers of persons with Alzheimer disease: study protocol of a randomized controlled trial

Authors

Cheng, Sheung-Tak, Lau, Rosanna W. L., Mak, Emily P. M., Ng, Natalie S. S., Lam, Linda C. W., Fung, Helene H., Lai, Julian C. L., Kwok, Timothy, Lee, Diana T. F.

Journal

Trials, Volume: 13, Pages.: 98-98

Year of Publication

2012

Abstract

Background: Caregivers of relatives with Alzheimer’s disease are highly stressed and at risk for physical and psychiatric conditions. Interventions are usually focused on providing caregivers with knowledge of dementia, skills, and/or support, to help them cope with the stress. This model, though true to a certain extent, ignores how caregiver stress is construed in the first place. Besides burden, caregivers also report rewards, uplifts, and gains, such as a sense of purpose and personal growth. Finding benefits through positive reappraisal may offset the effect of caregiving on caregiver outcomes.; Design: Two randomized controlled trials are planned. They are essentially the same except that Trial 1 is a cluster trial (that is, randomization based on groups of participants) whereas in Trial 2, randomization is based on individuals. Participants are randomized into three groups – benefit finding, psychoeducation, and simplified psychoeducation. Participants in each group receive a total of approximately 12 hours of training either in group or individually at home. Booster sessions are provided at around 14 months after the initial treatment. The primary outcomes are caregiver stress (subjective burden, role overload, and cortisol), perceived benefits, subjective health, psychological well-being, and depression. The secondary outcomes are caregiver coping, and behavioral problems and functional impairment of the care-recipient. Outcome measures are obtained at baseline, post-treatment (2 months), and 6, 12, 18 and 30 months.; Discussion: The emphasis on benefits, rather than losses and difficulties, provides a new dimension to the way interventions for caregivers can be conceptualized and delivered. By focusing on the positive, caregivers may be empowered to sustain caregiving efforts in the long term despite the day-to-day challenges. The two parallel trials will provide an assessment of whether the effectiveness of the intervention depends on the mode of delivery.; Trial Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (http://www.chictr.org/en/) identifier number ChiCTR-TRC-10000881.;

Bibtex Citation

@article{Cheng_2012, doi = {10.1186/1745-6215-13-98}, url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1745-6215-13-98}, year = 2012, month = {jul}, publisher = {Springer Nature}, volume = {13}, number = {1}, author = {Sheung-Tak Cheng and Rosanna WL Lau and Emily PM Mak and Natalie SS Ng and Linda CW Lam and Helene H Fung and Julian CL Lai and Timothy Kwok and Diana TF Lee}, title = {A benefit-finding intervention for family caregivers of persons with Alzheimer disease: study protocol of a randomized controlled trial}, journal = {Trials} }

Keywords

activities of daily living, adaptation psychological, aged, alzheimer disease, caregivers, caring, cost of illness, doubleblind method, education, emotions, etiology, family relations, health knowledge attitudes practice, hong kong, humans, of, perception, positive, prevention & control, psychology, reappraisal, research design, social support, stress, psychological, therapy, time factors

Countries of Study

Hong Kong

Types of Dementia

Alzheimer’s Disease

Types of Study

Cluster RCT, Randomised Controlled Trial

Type of Outcomes

Carer Burden (instruments measuring burden), Carers’ Mental Health, Carers’ Physical Health, Quality of Life of Carer

Type of Interventions

Intervention for Carers

Carer Focussed Interventions

Other, Training programmes / workshops including behavioural training