OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a psychoeducational intervention, Powerful Tools for Caregivers (PTC), for family caregivers of individuals with dementia. DESIGN: A pragmatic, 2-arm randomized controlled trial compared the PTC intervention, as delivered in practice, to usual care. Participants randomized to usual care functioned as a control group and then received the PTC intervention. INTERVENTION: PTC is a 6-week manualized program that includes weekly 2-hour classes in a group setting facilitated by 2 trained and certified leaders. The educational program helps caregivers to enhance self-care practices and manage emotional distress. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Two stakeholder organizations delivered the intervention in community settings. Participants were family caregivers of individuals with dementia recruited from the community in Florida. METHODS: Primary outcomes were caregiver burden and behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia of the care recipient. Secondary outcomes included caregiver depressive symptoms, self-efficacy, self-rated health, and life satisfaction. Measures were collected at baseline (n = 60 participants), postintervention (n = 55), and at 6-week follow-up (n = 44). RESULTS: Intent-to-treat analyses found PTC reduced caregiver burden (d = -0.48) and depressive symptoms (d = -0.53), and increased self-confidence (d = 0.68), but found no significant benefit for behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia in care recipients. PTC was rated highly by participants and program attrition was low, with 94% of caregivers completing at least 4 of the 6 classes. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Although no significant effects were found for behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, this trial supports the effectiveness of PTC to improve caregiver outcomes as delivered in the community.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a psychoeducational intervention, Powerful Tools for Caregivers (PTC), for family caregivers of individuals with dementia. DESIGN: A pragmatic, 2-arm randomized controlled trial compared the PTC intervention, as delivered in practice, to usual care. Participants randomized to usual care functioned as a control group and then received the PTC intervention. INTERVENTION: PTC is a 6-week manualized program that includes weekly 2-hour classes in a group setting facilitated by 2 trained and certified leaders. The educational program helps caregivers to enhance self-care practices and manage emotional distress. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Two stakeholder organizations delivered the intervention in community settings. Participants were family caregivers of individuals with dementia recruited from the community in Florida. METHODS: Primary outcomes were caregiver burden and behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia of the care recipient. Secondary outcomes included caregiver depressive symptoms, self-efficacy, self-rated health, and life satisfaction. Measures were collected at baseline (n = 60 participants), postintervention (n = 55), and at 6-week follow-up (n = 44). RESULTS: Intent-to-treat analyses found PTC reduced caregiver burden (d = -0.48) and depressive symptoms (d = -0.53), and increased self-confidence (d = 0.68), but found no significant benefit for behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia in care recipients. PTC was rated highly by participants and program attrition was low, with 94% of caregivers completing at least 4 of the 6 classes. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Although no significant effects were found for behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, this trial supports the effectiveness of PTC to improve caregiver outcomes as delivered in the community.
Authors: Nadège Costa; Ansgar Wübker; Adelaïde De Mauléon; Sandra M G Zwakhalen; David Challis; Helena Leino-Kilpi; Ingalill R Hallberg; Astrid Stephan; Adelaida Zabalegui; Kai Saks; Laurent Molinier; Anders Wimo; Bruno Vellas; Dirk Sauerland; Ingrid Binot; Maria E Soto Journal: J Am Med Dir Assoc Date: 2018-01 Impact factor: 4.669
Authors: Ann Kolanowski; Richard H Fortinsky; Margaret Calkins; Davangere P Devanand; Elizabeth Gould; Tamar Heller; Nancy A Hodgson; Helen C Kales; Jeffrey Kaye; Constantine Lyketsos; Barbara Resnick; Melanie Schicker; Sheryl Zimmerman Journal: J Am Med Dir Assoc Date: 2018-08-23 Impact factor: 4.669
Authors: SangNam Ahn; Rashmita Basu; Matthew Lee Smith; Luohua Jiang; Kate Lorig; Nancy Whitelaw; Marcia G Ory Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2013-12-06 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Martina Luchetti; Antonio Terracciano; Yannick Stephan; Damaris Aschwanden; Angelina R Sutin Journal: Aging Ment Health Date: 2020-04-29 Impact factor: 3.514