Reducing Depression in Dementia Caregivers

University of Missouri, St. Louis

Status and phase: Completed; Phase 2; Phase 1

Conditions: Depression

Treatments: Behavioral: Basic Education; Behavioral: Behavioral Skills Training: Experimental

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; NIH

Identifiers

NCT00056316

DSIR AT-GS

R21MH061956 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study was to develop and examine the initial impact of a distance-based intervention for female family dementia caregivers. As stated in the original proposal, the primary hypothesis of the study was that family caregivers who participated in the Video Intervention would show greater reduction in psychological distress (i.e., on measures of depression and emotional distress following problematic patient behaviors) compared to those in the Basic Education condition, and that this effect would be maintained over time (3 and 6 months post-tx).

Full description

Family caregivers of individuals with dementia commonly report depressive symptoms, along with other forms of emotional distress. This study compared the effectiveness of two home-based interventions to reduce levels of depressed, anxious, and other negative moods in women living with a family member with dementia. Eligible caregivers were randomly assigned to participate in either a video/workbook/telephone coaching intervention, or to a basic education condition consisting of a workbook and supportive telephone calls. Participants were evaluated for psychosocial distress after treatment, and at 3- and 6-months following the end of intervention.

Enrollment: 74 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 50+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Caregiver and dementia pt live in the same home
• Resident of following states: Il,IN, IO, KS, MI, MN, MO, NB,WI

Exclusion criteria

• Insulin dependent diabetes
• Thyroid disease

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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74 participants in 2 patient groups

Behavioral Skills Training

Experimental group

Description:

Multicomponent behavioral intervention using 10-session video series (Steffen, et al., 2001) workbook (Steffen, et al., 2001), and weekly telephone coaching sessions.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Behavioral Skills Training: Experimental

Basic Education

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants receive 37-page Basic Care Guide (Education Institute, 2001) and bi-weekly telephone calls by a trained staff member.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Basic Education