Joan K Monin1, Gabriele Oettingen2, Holly Laws3, Daniel David4, Lyndsay DeMatteo1, Richard Marottoli5. 1. Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA. 2. Department of Psychology, New York University, USA. 3. Department of Psychology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, USA. 4. Rory Meyers College of Nursing, New York University, USA. 5. Geriatrics, Yale School of Medicine, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, New Haven, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Behavioral interventions can reduce distress for couples coping with early-stage dementia. However, most interventions are limited in accessibility and fail to address individualized goals. This pilot study examined the dyadic effects on multiple indicators of well-being of the Wish Outcome Obstacle Plan (WOOP) intervention, which guides participants to use Mental Contrasting with Implementation Intentions to achieve attainable goals in their daily lives. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial included 45 older persons with early-stage dementia (PWD) and their spousal care partners (CPs: n = 90 individuals). CPs were assigned randomly to WOOP training immediately after baseline (WOOP) or after a 3-month follow-up interview (Control; CON). Both groups received a dementia care education booklet. WOOP CPs were instructed to practice WOOP at least once a day for 2 weeks. All CPs and PWDs completed home surveys (baseline, 2 weeks, and 3 months), measuring perceived stress, depressive symptoms, quality of life, and affect. RESULTS: Mixed-effects models showed significant intervention × time interaction effects with large effect sizes for CPs on three of the five outcomes over 3 months. Compared with CON, WOOP CPs had decreased perceived stress (δ = 1.71) and increased quality of life (δ = 1.55) and positive affect (δ = 2.30). WOOP PWD showed decreased perceived stress (δ = 0.87) and increased quality of life (δ = 1.26), but these effects were not statistically significant. DISCUSSION: WOOP is a promising, brief intervention to improve dementia CPs' well-being that may also positively affect their partners with dementia.
OBJECTIVES: Behavioral interventions can reduce distress for couples coping with early-stage dementia. However, most interventions are limited in accessibility and fail to address individualized goals. This pilot study examined the dyadic effects on multiple indicators of well-being of the Wish Outcome Obstacle Plan (WOOP) intervention, which guides participants to use Mental Contrasting with Implementation Intentions to achieve attainable goals in their daily lives. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial included 45 older persons with early-stage dementia (PWD) and their spousal care partners (CPs: n = 90 individuals). CPs were assigned randomly to WOOP training immediately after baseline (WOOP) or after a 3-month follow-up interview (Control; CON). Both groups received a dementia care education booklet. WOOP CPs were instructed to practice WOOP at least once a day for 2 weeks. All CPs and PWDs completed home surveys (baseline, 2 weeks, and 3 months), measuring perceived stress, depressive symptoms, quality of life, and affect. RESULTS: Mixed-effects models showed significant intervention × time interaction effects with large effect sizes for CPs on three of the five outcomes over 3 months. Compared with CON, WOOP CPs had decreased perceived stress (δ = 1.71) and increased quality of life (δ = 1.55) and positive affect (δ = 2.30). WOOP PWD showed decreased perceived stress (δ = 0.87) and increased quality of life (δ = 1.26), but these effects were not statistically significant. DISCUSSION: WOOP is a promising, brief intervention to improve dementia CPs' well-being that may also positively affect their partners with dementia.
Authors: Richard Schulz; Joan K Monin; Sara J Czaja; Jennifer H Lingler; Scott R Beach; Lynn M Martire; Angela Dodds; Randy S Hebert; Bozena Zdaniuk; Thomas B Cook Journal: Gerontologist Date: 2010-05-17