Feasibility of an Automated Bidet Intervention to Decrease Caregiver Burden

The Washington University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Caregiver Burnout

Treatments: Other: No Intervention; Behavioral: Automated Bidet

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04283123

201610044

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study evaluates the feasibility, including acceptability and preliminary efficacy, of an automated bidet intervention to make it easier for caregivers to assist with toileting.

Full description

Informal caregivers provide over 30 billion hours of care to older adults each year. They often assist with toileting tasks which are often identified as one of the most physically and emotionally demanding activities of daily living. Caregivers receive limited training and support which increases their risk for injury and burnout. One potential strategy to reduce or replace the physical support needed from a caregiver is the used of an automated bidet system. It remains unknown whether an automated bidet can be used successfully with older adults and their caregivers at home. The objective of this feasibility study was to assess the acceptability and preliminary efficacy of a toileting intervention using an automated bidet system and training by an occupational therapy practitioner (OT) to reduce the amount of physical assistance required from caregivers.

The investigators will recruit 10 informal caregivers and randomize them to the treatment or waitlist control group. Caregivers in the treatment group will receive the automated bidet right away while those in the waitlist control group will not receive any treatment during that time. After 30 days, both groups will participate in a post-test assessment visit. The waitlist control group will then be offered the intervention and invited to participate in a final session after 30 days to complete assessments and a process evaluation (30 days post follow-up).

Enrollment: 10 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• (1) provided unpaid care and lived with a care recipient aged 55 years or older
• (2) assisted with toileting for at least 6 months
• (3) did not have an automated bidet
• (4) had a working toilet and bathroom outlet, and (5) their care recipient was willing to participate

Exclusion criteria

• Caregivers scoring 10 or above on the Short Blessed Test, indicating possible cognitive impairment

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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10 participants in 2 patient groups

Treatment

Experimental group

Description:

Participants assigned to this group will receive an automated bidet (TOTO Washlet S300e with remote control) and an occupational therapy intervention over 2-3 in-home visits.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Automated Bidet

Waitlist Control

Active Comparator group

Description:

Caregivers will wait for 30 days and then will be offered the intervention.

Treatment:

Other: No Intervention