Online Video Group Counselling for Family Caregivers of Persons with Dementia – an Ongoing Randomized Controlled Trial
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Abstract
Background
With more than 40 million patients worldwide dementia represents a major challenge on societies and the affected families. Caring for a spouse or parent with dementia at home is an arduous task often associated with physical and emotional exhaustion. Local support options for family caregivers in Germany usually focus on the dissemination of information rather than emotional support. Moreover, the utilization of such services is often not feasible in everyday life due to the caregivers’ limited time resources, putting online interventions in the focus of interest. Despite the pioneering work of a Canadian research project (Marziali & Garcia, 2011) there still is limited knowledge whether online interventions can successfully be used by this elderly target group.
Objective
The aim of our study is to develop and test an online group intervention for family caregivers of persons with dementia. We want to find out whether the program is accepted by the caregivers and whether it helps them to reduce their subjective care related burden.
Methods
We developed a psychologically guided and evidence based online group counselling intervention (“Demenz anders sehen [Demas] / A different view on dementiaâ€). Demas consists of ten weekly group sessions of 90 min which are facilitated by a psychologist and hosted in the video-chatroom of the program. Participants are randomly assigned to two study groups: members of the intervention group can start into the program right away, while members of the control group have to wait for three months before they can enter the program. Follow-ups are conducted 3, 6 and 12 months after randomization. Main outcomes are the subjective burden of caregiving according to the Berlin Inventory of Caregiver Burden - Dementia (BIZA-D, Zank, Schacke & Leipold, 2006) and the satisfaction with one's own performance as a caregiver according to the Sense of Competence Questionnaire (SCQ, Scholte op Reimer, 1998).
Results
Until now, 29 Persons were included in the study, with a mean age of M=59.4 yrs (SD=10.7; range 33 to 83 yrs.), female participants make up the majority (69%). 48% care for their spouse, 52% care for a parent. According to PHQ-9, 28% of participants are affected by major depressive disorder. Although no follow up data is yet available, process data shows that all participants so far could successfully utilize the program.
Conclusions
First experiences suggest that elderly caregivers can successfully be engaged in an internet based group counselling intervention. Follow-up-data will shed light on its effectiveness. First results shall be presented.
With more than 40 million patients worldwide dementia represents a major challenge on societies and the affected families. Caring for a spouse or parent with dementia at home is an arduous task often associated with physical and emotional exhaustion. Local support options for family caregivers in Germany usually focus on the dissemination of information rather than emotional support. Moreover, the utilization of such services is often not feasible in everyday life due to the caregivers’ limited time resources, putting online interventions in the focus of interest. Despite the pioneering work of a Canadian research project (Marziali & Garcia, 2011) there still is limited knowledge whether online interventions can successfully be used by this elderly target group.
Objective
The aim of our study is to develop and test an online group intervention for family caregivers of persons with dementia. We want to find out whether the program is accepted by the caregivers and whether it helps them to reduce their subjective care related burden.
Methods
We developed a psychologically guided and evidence based online group counselling intervention (“Demenz anders sehen [Demas] / A different view on dementiaâ€). Demas consists of ten weekly group sessions of 90 min which are facilitated by a psychologist and hosted in the video-chatroom of the program. Participants are randomly assigned to two study groups: members of the intervention group can start into the program right away, while members of the control group have to wait for three months before they can enter the program. Follow-ups are conducted 3, 6 and 12 months after randomization. Main outcomes are the subjective burden of caregiving according to the Berlin Inventory of Caregiver Burden - Dementia (BIZA-D, Zank, Schacke & Leipold, 2006) and the satisfaction with one's own performance as a caregiver according to the Sense of Competence Questionnaire (SCQ, Scholte op Reimer, 1998).
Results
Until now, 29 Persons were included in the study, with a mean age of M=59.4 yrs (SD=10.7; range 33 to 83 yrs.), female participants make up the majority (69%). 48% care for their spouse, 52% care for a parent. According to PHQ-9, 28% of participants are affected by major depressive disorder. Although no follow up data is yet available, process data shows that all participants so far could successfully utilize the program.
Conclusions
First experiences suggest that elderly caregivers can successfully be engaged in an internet based group counselling intervention. Follow-up-data will shed light on its effectiveness. First results shall be presented.
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