Judith A Callan1, Greg J Siegle2, Kaleab Abebe3, Beverly Black4, Lynn Martire5, Richard Schulz6, Charles Reynolds2, Martica H Hall2. 1. a Department of Health and Community Systems, School of Nursing , University of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh , PA , USA. 2. b Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine , University of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh , PA , USA. 3. d Department of Medicine, Center for Research on Health Care , University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh , PA , USA. 4. c University of Pittsburgh Medical Center , Pittsburgh , PA , USA. 5. e Human Development and Family Studies , The Pennsylvania State University , University Park , PA , USA. 6. f Department of Psychiatry, University Center for Social and Urban Research , University of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh , PA , USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES:Spousal caregivers of patients with dementia are in need of interventions to bolster their quality of life. Computer-based, self-administered cognitive training is an innovative approach to target spousal caregiver distress and coping. We tested the feasibility of administering one such intervention with minimal clinician intervention. METHODS:Twenty-seven elderly adults (>64 years old), who each were the primary caregiver for a spouse with dementia, were recruited through the Memory Disorders Clinic of the Alzheimer Disease Research Center in Pittsburgh, PA. Spousal caregivers were instructed to use a handheld computer version of the Adaptive Paced Visual Serial Attention Task (APVSAT) at least three times per week for four weeks as part of a larger caregiver intervention trial (P01 AG020677). Feasibility was explored by examining the frequency of APVSAT usage. RESULTS: Results suggest that self-directed cognitive training is feasible for spousal caregivers of dementia patients. The mean usage of the APVSAT was 42 (SD = 28.58). Performance increased from the beginning to the end of the trial, and usage was not affected by stress, worry, or poor sleep quality. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest the potential utility of cognitive training via handheld computer for spousal caregivers of dementia patients to improve problem solving, coping and adaptation, planning, and persevering with goal-directed tasks.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVES: Spousal caregivers of patients with dementia are in need of interventions to bolster their quality of life. Computer-based, self-administered cognitive training is an innovative approach to target spousal caregiver distress and coping. We tested the feasibility of administering one such intervention with minimal clinician intervention. METHODS: Twenty-seven elderly adults (>64 years old), who each were the primary caregiver for a spouse with dementia, were recruited through the Memory Disorders Clinic of the Alzheimer Disease Research Center in Pittsburgh, PA. Spousal caregivers were instructed to use a handheld computer version of the Adaptive Paced Visual Serial Attention Task (APVSAT) at least three times per week for four weeks as part of a larger caregiver intervention trial (P01 AG020677). Feasibility was explored by examining the frequency of APVSAT usage. RESULTS: Results suggest that self-directed cognitive training is feasible for spousal caregivers of dementiapatients. The mean usage of the APVSAT was 42 (SD = 28.58). Performance increased from the beginning to the end of the trial, and usage was not affected by stress, worry, or poor sleep quality. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest the potential utility of cognitive training via handheld computer for spousal caregivers of dementiapatients to improve problem solving, coping and adaptation, planning, and persevering with goal-directed tasks.
Authors: Marjolein E de Vugt; Jelle Jolles; Liesbeth van Osch; Fred Stevens; Pauline Aalten; Richel Lousberg; Frans R J Verhey Journal: Age Ageing Date: 2006-03 Impact factor: 10.668