Tuesday, July 08, 2008
AGENCY AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES
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Evidence Based Interventions Resource Center
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| Psychoeducational group intervention for dementia caregivers (Perren) |
The caregiver 8-week psycho-educational group intervention aimed at: (a) imparting knowledge regarding symptoms of dementia and the course of disease; (b) strengthening of self-perception to improve self-care; (c) optimising the relationship dynamics between care recipient and caregiver; and (d) increasing social competence to enable caregivers to solicit social support and to use formal help such as respite care (taken from Wettstein et al., 2005, not published in English).
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Though increases in behavioral problems and funcitonal impairments negatively affected the caregiver over time, the psycho-educational intervention had a positive impact on caregivers’ well-being (assessed one year after intervention). |
| Savvy Caregiver (Ostwald/Hepburn) |
Savvy Caregiver is intended to train families and others for the unfamiliar role they face as caregiver for a relative or friend with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia. Savvy Caregiver is a 12-hour training program that is usually delivered in 2-hour sessions over a 6-week period. Click for More Information |
Successful in reducing caregiver burden and coping over time. |
| Couple-Oriented Education and Support Intervention for Osteoarthritis (Martire) |
A group education and support intervention that consisted of six weekly 2-hr sessions attended by
older individuals with OA and their spouses, based on the format of the Arthritis Self-Management Program (ASMP) developed by Lorig and colleagues. Click for More Information |
Spouses who received the couple-oriented intervention reported greater reductions in stress and a trend toward less critical attitudes than spouses of individuals with OA who received the patient-oriented intervention. Female spouses and spouses with high marital satisfaction who received the couple-oriented intervention also experienced better outcomes in terms of depressive symptoms and caregiver mastery. |
| Weekly group intervention based on stress & coping model (Hebert) |
Weekly group intervention of 15 2-hr. sessions based on stress & coping model; 1) cognitive appraisal aimed to improve caregiver's ability to shift from a global to a specific stressor; 2) coping strategies that improved problem-solving skills, reframing ability, and seeking social support. Click for More Information |
Slight increase in disease knowledge. |
| Psychoeducation Group (McCurry) |
Psychoeducation group for 6 weeks: standard sleep hygiene, stimulus control, and sleep compression strategies; education about community resources, stress management, and techniques to reduce patient disruptive behaviors. Participants also kept sleep diary during period of intervention.
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Sleep improvements |
| Caring for others Pilot Study (Marziali) |
Caring for Others pilot study was a 10-session, manual-guided video-conference therapist-led psychosocial support group, followed by 12 online sessions facilitated by group member. Based on psychosocial, lifespan perspective, included: training, computer access and password-protected disease website/ chat/ discussion, online (manual-guided) support group. The aim was to provide therapeutic support by helping members understand how personal styles for regulating emotions and processing information either advanced or thwarted caregiving role functions. Click for More Information |
Significant stress reduction. |
| REACH trial comparing interventions (Gallagher-Thompson) |
REACH trial compared 2 types of interventions: 1)Coping With Caregiving psychoeducational program (instruction and practice in groups to learn specific adaptive cognitive and behavioral skills); 2) Enhanced Support Group condition (guided discussion and empathic listening to develop reciprocal support within the group (based on typical community support groups and principles in Alz. Assoc. Manual). Groups met weekly (10 weeks), delivered by mental health professionals. All caregivers received same dementia-related educational materials. Click for More Information |
Significant reduction in depressive symptoms, increased use of adaptive coping, and decreased negative coping when compared to 'enhanced support group'. |
| Family-based FOCUS intervention (Northouse) |
Family-based intervention based on 5 core components that form the acronym FOCUS (Family involvement, Optimistic attitude, Coping effectiveness, Uncertainty reduction, Symptom management). Consisted of 5 nurse-led contacts- 3 (1.5hour) in-home visits spaced monthly and 2 phone follow-ups. Click for More Information |
Significant patient psychosocial benefits and caregivers appraised caregiving less negatively. Effects apparent at 3 months but not at 6 months. |
| Future Planning Curriculum for Familes & Adult Relatives with Developmental Disabilities (Heller/Caldwell) |
The Future is Now intervention is a peer support intervention developed to support aging caregivers and adults with developmental disabilities in planning for the future. Click for More Information |
Significant increase in families completing future planning; significant decrease in caregiving burden |
| STAR-C Intervention (Teri) |
Weekly in-home sessions (8) led by trained mental health professionals based on the Seattle Protocols approach: structured but tailored to patient– caregiver dyads. STAR-C manual-guided home intervention (problem-solving approach to behavior change, improving caregiver communication, increasing pleasant events to improve care recipients’ mood, and developing strategies to enhance caregiver support was based on social learning theory and gerontological theory. Afterwards, 4 monthly phone calls.
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Significant improvements in depression, burden, and reactivity to behavioral problems in patient. |
| Worksite based internet multimedia program (Beauchamp) |
Personalized worksite based interactive internet multimedia program for dementia caregivers; modules include Being a Caregiver, Coping with Emotions, Common Difficulties. The coping strategies emphasize problem-focused techniques and social support skills. Click for More Information |
Significant improvements in depression, anxiety level, frequency of stress, caregiver strain, self-efficacy, intention to seek help, and positive perceptions of caregiving. |
| Journey of Hope education course (Pickett-Schenk) |
Family-led (trained volunteer) 8 week manual-led education course, Journey of Hope. Course designed by professionals and participants met weekly for 1.5-2 hours/ week. Goals of the course include: disease education (e.g. how to recognize signs of relapse, biological basis of disease), communication skills, coping skills, interacting with the health care system, caregiver self-care, how to develop empathy for relative.
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Significant improvement in caregiving satisfaction and information needs, effects sustained at 6 months. |
| Structured weekly supportive intervention groups (Chou) |
Structured supportive intervention groups meeting weekly for 8 1.5 hour sessions co-led by trained psychiatric nurse. Sessions included principles such as encouraging ventilation, validation of similar caregiving experiences, affirmation, praise, and support and understanding for those struggling with difficult situations. Also disseminated information. Guided by Caregiver Support Group Procedure Manuals (CSGPM).
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Reductions in burden and depression. |
| Brief structured Cognitive Behaviorial Therapy (Akkerman) |
A brief (9 week) structured Cognitive Behavioral Therapy group (led by PI meeting for 2hrs, 4-8 cg/ group) consisting of didactic skills training to reduce anxiety, provided handouts and encouraged to practice skills. Click for More Information |
Reductions in anxiety |
| REACH trial with 2 intervention groups (Coon) |
This was a REACH trial with 2 intervention groups: 1)anger management and 2) depression management. Both were 2-hour workshop-format groups, for 8 weeks and then monthly booster for 2 months (10 sessions total, 8-10 cg/ class). Anger Intervention: Present cognitive-behavioral model and treatment rationale, discuss sources of caregiver frustration, and relaxation skills. Taught specific cognitive skills: positive self-talk, monitoring thoughts assoc. w frustration. Development of assertiveness skills Click for More Information |
Reductions in anger, hostility, and depression as well as increases in self-efficacy for managing behavior problems and controlling upsetting thoughts. Anger group had increases in positive coping. |
| REACH family therapy trial (Eisdorfer) |
REACH family therapy trial focused on family interactions based on structural ecosystems therapy (SET), SET+ computer-telephone integrated system (CTIS), or minimal support control condition. The CTIS system was designed to augment the SET intervention by providing the caregiver with enhanced access to formal and informal resources. Intervention occurred over 12 months: weekly sessions for 4 mo., biweekly for 2 mo., and monthly for 6 mo. 60–90 min/ session. Approx 14 hrs/ caregiver. Most sessions in caregiver's home.
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Reduction in depressive symptoms |
| Clinical assessment & management of caregiver stress (Baldwin) |
Clinical assessment and management of family caregiver stress, comparing educative/ didactic vs. psychotherapeutic/ support. 8 weekly 2-hr group sessions Click for More Information |
Reduction in caregiver strain |
| NYU Caregiver Counseling and Support Intervention (Mittelman) |
1st component: 2 individual and 4 family counseling sessions (w/ relatives suggested by the caregiver, but without the patient). Content determined by needs of each cg (e.g., learning behavioral mgmt techniques, promoting communication among family members). Counselors also provided disease-specific education and community resources. 2nd component: weekly enhanced support group. 3rd component: ad hoc counseling over the course of the disease. (led by social workers/ allied health professionals). Also, long-term follow-up of cg (for two years after patient's death) and LT follow-up of intervention effects (for 5 years, will continue +)
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Reducing depressive symptoms, decreased time to institutionalization, reduced caregiver reactions to patient behavioral problems |
| Health education groups for caregivers (Toseland) |
Eight weekly sessions and 10 monthly follow-up sessions focused on coping, education and support. Groups taught coping strategies and education about resources for support, also provided support. Click for More Information |
Reducing depression, maintaining social integration, increasing effectiveness, problem-solving, increasing knowledge of resources, caregiver competence and responses to caregiver situation. |
| Stroke Nurse intervention (Burton) |
A nursing care intervention consistsing of a holistic evaluation by stroke nurse soon after patient discharge which considered: patient and caregiver physical functioning, knowledge of consequences and implications of stroke, abilities to cope emotionally with aftermath of stroke, the potential of the home environment to support recovery, medication adherence, appropriateness and effectiveness, transfer of care arrangements, and health promotion, including education, stroke prevention and use of resources to support recovery. Follow-up visits over several months as needed (average # visits =3) Telephone # for stroke nurse distributed.
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Reduced carer strain. |
| Training in Communication skills for dementia caregivers (Done) |
Communication skills workshop was compared with an information booklet. Therapist-led intervention: 10 30-second videos each depicting a communication breakdown, facilitated group discussion; information booklet with similar content as videos without discussion. Click for More Information |
Promoted awareness of communication strategies. Both booklet and intervention: reductions of communication strain. |
| Tele-help line for caregivers (Chwalisz) |
Intervention consisted either of existing tele-help line where callers initiate calls (non-manualized) or to the manualized 8-week phone intervention. This intervention consists of four components: knowledge, social problem-solving, social support, and affect, and these components are offered 'flexibly' as determined by needs of caregiver. Click for More Information |
Preliminary data suggest multiple benefits for caregivers |
| Psychosocial Interventions for Family Caregivers of Individuals with Dementia - a REACH 1 Trial (Burgio) |
A REACH 1 trial with 2 intervention groups: 1) minimal support condition (MSC) and behaviorial skills training (BST). Click for More Information |
Positive pre-post differences in caregiver burden and emotional well-being. |
| Skills training for spouses of patients with AD (Bourgeois) |
Two 12-week intervention groups (patient-focused skills training, caregiver-focused skills training) were compared with a control group. In Week 2, each caregiver attended 1 of 2 3-hr workshops: 1) Patient-Change Workshop, consisting of introductions, presentation of general behavioral principles as they relate to dementia symptoms, overview of in-home training sessions, and review of caregiver-completed Problem Behavior Tracking forms 2) Self-Change Workshop, consisting of introductions, presentation of three self-change strategies, overview of in-home training sessions, and review of completed Problem Behavior Tracking forms. In Weeks 3–12, trained staff visited caregiver for 1 hr at home to individualize skills training to caregivers’ needs. Click for More Information |
Patient-focused skills training group had improvement of management of problem behaviors; caregiver-focused training group showed improvements in caregiver mood. |
| Home visiting intervention with Psychologist and OT (Nobili) |
One 1-hr home visit by psychologist to discuss family dynamics, caregiver stress and psychologic consequences, verbal Click for More Information |
Patient problem behavior affected by intervention, results suggest intervention reduces caregiver stress. |
| Coordinated system of care intervention (Vickery) |
Coordinated system of care intervention by care managers of patient-caregiver pairs using computerized information systems. Guideline-based provision of services. Care manager (social workers) coordinated with caregiver to generate menu of care actions.
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Participants had higher care quality on 21 of 23 guidelines and higher numbers used community services. |
| NYU Caregiver Intervention (Roth) |
See Mittleman (2004a). 1st component: 2 individual and 4 family counseling sessions (w relatives suggested by the caregiver, but without the patient). Content determined by needs of each cg (e.g., learning behavioral mgmt techniques, promoting communication among family members). Counselors also provided disease-specific education and community resources. 2nd component: weekly enhanced support group. 3rd component: ad hoc counseling over the course of the disease.
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Number of support persons, satisfaction with support network, and support persons' assistance with caregiving increased |
| REACH trial - OT (Gitlin) |
REACH trial consisting of 5 90-min home visits from OT (and 1 30-min telephone contact) which provided education and environmental modifications to optimize home environment based on the ESP competence-environmental press framework. Protocol involves customization: interventionists and caregiver determine specific problem areas to address. Strategies introduced in subsequent sessions tailored to fit cg's preferences and environmental setting, referrals to community resources if necessary. Click for More Information |
Modest effect on patient IADL's and positive effects in caregiver self-efficacy and upset. |
| Brief psychologist-led group for spouses (Bultz) |
Brief (6 session) psychologist-led group for spouses developed based on psychoeducation, support, and communication literature. First two groups had educational/ medical component (questions answered by medical onconologist); remaining groups were supportive in nature, less structured, and focused on building communication with patient. Click for More Information |
less mood disturbance |
| Cognitive-behavioral video-assisted modeling program (Chang) |
Cognitive-behavioral video-assisted modeling program targeting caregiving skills guided by stress & coping framework. 8-week intervention had two components: 1. videotapes demonstrating assisted modeling behavior (eating & dressing); 2. support program to reinforce video information and to explore coping strategies (via Nurseline phone calls) Click for More Information |
Less depression, decrease in anxiety, increased satisfaction and emotion-focused coping. |
| Professional instruction for stroke carers (Kalra) |
Instruction (3-5 sessions, 30-45 min. each, depending on needs) by appropriate professionals on common stroke related problems. Click for More Information |
Less caregiver burden, lower costs, higher quality of life, and better psychological state. |
| Nursing intervention for cancer caregivers (Kozachik, et al.) |
A nursing intervention emphasizing symptom monitoring/management, education, emotional support, coordination of services, and caregiver preparation to care. Nurses made a total of nine contacts, five in person and four by telephone, over 16 weeks. Click for More Information |
intervention more effective in slowing progression of depressive symptoms than decreasing depression |
| Psycho-educational intervention for caregivers of patients receiving pallative care (Hudson) |
A caregiver guidebook and audiotape used as basis for nurse interactions (2 home visits w/ phone call between visits, based on intervention materials modeled after stress and coping theory.) Guidebook provides caregivers with written information related to aspects of caring for a dying person. Audiotape features reflections from carers, self-care strategies and structured relaxation exercises. Click for More Information |
Intervention group reported more positive CG experience, initially and over time. |
| Reducing Disability in Alzheimer's Disease (Teri) |
The RDAD intervention was a caregiver education program that combined exercise training with teaching caregivers how to manage dementia-related behavior problems in persons with Alzheimer's disease. Click for More Information |
Increased physical function, decreased depression rates |
| Family Support Organizer stroke intervention (Tilling) |
Part of a national program in the UK, the role of the family support organizer (FSO) was to offer information, emotional support and prevention advice to families and stroke patients, aimed to cover the gap in support when formal treatment or therapy ends.
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Increased caregiver satisfaction |
| Psychoeducational group intervention for wives of men w/prostate cancer (Manne) |
Structured psychoeducational 6-week (1 hr) group led by trained professionals,(psychologist, social worker, nutritionist). Session content consisted of health-related or psychological information. Group psychological content divided into: coping skills and open communication/ social support. Coping skills topics included education about adaptive/ maladaptive techniques. Click for More Information |
increase of positive coping strategies, positive reappraisal, reduction of denial coping. |
| Stress & coping stroke interventions (van den Heuvel) |
Compared 2 interventions based on stress & coping model; weekly group support program and home visits. Click for More Information |
Increase in confidence in knowledge, active coping, higher social support through intervention. |
| Standardized home-care nursing intervention (Jepson/McCorkle) |
Standardized home-care nursing intervention (3 home visits and 6 phone calls) delivered to caregivers, including problem assessment and monitoring, symptom management, self-care, coordination of resources. Click for More Information |
improving psychosocial status |
| Integrated telephone-linked care intervention (Mahoney) |
Integrated telephone-linked care intervention (based on stress process theory) with IVR computer network system offers multiple components with flexibility to appeal to variety of users reflecting diverse caregiver needs/ preferences. The following system modules were available to participants: Weekly Caregiver’s Conversation, Personal Mailbox, Bulletin Board, Activity-Respite Conversation
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Improvements on bother, anxiety, and depression. |
| REACH II Intervention (Schultz) |
REACH II interventions included: provision of information, didactic instruction, role playing, problem solving, skills training, stress management, and telephone support groups. There were 12 1.5 hr. sessions over 6 months (9 in home and 3 phone sessions). There were resource notebooks with educational materials and telephones linked to computer-integrated system. Based on findings that active techniques are more effective at improving outcomes compared with more passive techniques.
http://www.edc.pitt.edu/reach2/public/about.html Click for More Information |
Improvements in quality of life and lower prevalence of clinical depression (among all ethnic groups) |
| Memory Clinic Intervention (Logiudice) |
Intervention took place via existing memory clinic and consisted of advice, counseling, and patient neuropsychological testing, with feedback provided to family with appropriate services referrals made. Click for More Information |
Improvements in psychosocial health (as it relates to caring for the patient). |
| Education & Counseling Stroke intervention (Clark) |
Stroke information packet distributed at rehab discharge, with 3 1-hr home visits from family counselor (1st session 3 weeks post-discharge, follow-ups at 2 & 5 months) Information packet contained general stroke information; counseling focused on stroke-related distress and was modeled after family systems theory. Click for More Information |
Improvements in family functioning. |
| Community-based psychoeducational intervention (Garand) |
Community-based psychoeducational intervention designed to help manage patient behavioral problems based on PLST model (progressively lowered stress threshold) was compared with routine info and referrals. Approximately 3 to 4 hours of in-home intervention, and biweekly follow-up phone calls for 6 months. Click for More Information |
Improvement in T-cell immune function |
| Multidisciplinary collaborative care (Callahan) |
Multidisciplinary team (collaborative care, led by advanced practice nurse) working with family caregiver (for one year) used standard protocols to initiate treatment and identify, monitor, and treat behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, stressing nonpharmacological management. Intervention was based on consensus guidelines for the care of patients with Alzheimer disease. Click for More Information |
Improvement in quality of care and management of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia among primary care patients and their caregivers. |
| Multiple-component support intervention (Mohide) |
Multiple-component 6-month intervention for caregiver-focused health care, dementia and caregiving education (written materials), problem-solving assistance, regularly scheduled in-home respite (4 hrs/week), and self-help family caregiver support group (monthly 2-hr group)
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Improvement in caregiver Quality pf Life and other caregiver outcomes |
| Social Problem-Solving Telephone Partnerships (Grant) |
Social Problem-Solving Telephone Partnerships: Caregivers taught to use a positive problem orientation and 4 systematic steps when solving cg problems: (1) identify and define problem, (2) decide what needs to be accomplished and list possible solutions, (3) choose and test the best solution(s), and (4) evaluate outcomes of problem solving. There was an initial 3-hr session w/ nurse in home after patient discharge followed by weekly (weeks 2, 3, and 4) and biweekly (weeks 6, 8, 10, 12) phone contacts to develop/ maintain skills over 12 weeks.
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Improved problem-solving skills, caregiver preparedness, mental health, and social functioning. |
| Individualized plan of care based on Progressively Lowered Stress Threshold (PLST) model (Stolley) |
Individualized plan of care based on the Progressively Lowered Stress Threshold (PLST) model (need envir. modifications b/c of declining cognitive/ functional abilities, reducing stress promotes functional adaptive behavior); Community-based psychoeducational intervention compared with routine info and referrals. Approximately 3 to 4 hours of in-home intervention, and biweekly follow-up phone calls for 6 months, compared with routine info and referrals - 4 year longitudinal study (see Buckwalter, 1999).
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Improved impact, burden, increased positive appraisal of caregiving situation |
| Psychosocial intervention for HIV/AIDS caregivers (Pakenham) |
In-home sessions (8 weekly, 1.5 hr sessions) with psychologist for both intervention groups (DI and CI), which were based on reciprocal determinism concept of caring dyads. Dyadic intervention (DI): eclectic, leaning toward structured problem solving approach using psychoeducational and cognitive-behavioral intervention techniques, also Rogerian (client-centered) therapy. Techniques varied by needs. Also had smaller caregiver intervention (CI) group. Click for More Information |
Improved global distress, social adjustment, dyadic adjustment, health status, disease knowledge |
| Taking Care of Myself group intervention (Ducharme) |
10-week (1.5 hr) group intervention entitled "taking care of myself", based on the stress Click for More Information |
Improved confidence dealing with healthcare staff and reframing |
| Nurse-delivered manualized intervention based on COPE (McMillan) |
Nurse-delivered manualized intervention based on the COPE problem-solving approach; model has four components: Creativity (viewing problems from different perspectives) Optimism (having a positive, but realistic, attitude) Planning (setting reasonable caregiving goals, and Expert information. Click for More Information |
Improved caregiver Quality of Life and reduced burden. |
| Psychoeducational family approach with family education (Ran) |
Psychoeducational family approach with family education once per month for 9 mo. (1.5-3hrs), Family workshops every 3 months, and crisis intervention when necessary. Family education taught basic knowledge of mental diseases, treatment and rehabilitation, based on the vulnerability-stress model. Advice and information tailored to patient status. During workshops, questions were discussed and relatives shared the experiences of caring for patients.
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Improved caregiver knowledge, attitudes about care recipient, treatment compliance. |
| Dementia Caregiver Education (Wettstein, Perren) |
Group education modules for dementia caregivers compared with those receiving a memory training manual. Click for More Information |
Group receiving caregiving education improved significantly in well-being and quality of life. |
| Creating avenues for relative empowerment (Li) |
Pilot study 1) educational component (based on self-regulation theory) consisted of audiotaped information to facilitate forming a clear, unambiguous cognitive schema about expectations in their hospitalized elders to guide emotional and behavioral responses. 2) mutual agreement contract component (based on role theory): after listening to audiotape, family cgs select 2/5 possible dysfunctional symptoms (based on needs, preferences) to focus on in providing care, with the goal being empowerment . 3.) Phase II audiotape reinforced the critical content of the initial audiotape and provided additional information for follow-up care. Click for More Information |
Greater caregiver participation in care,higher scores on role rewards |
| Group mental health intervention (Cheng/Chan) |
Group intervention targeting knowledge and treatment of the illness, management of symptoms and medication, dealing with crisis, mental health services, communication and problem-solving skills, and stress-coping skills. Occurred in 10 weekly 2-hr sessions based on Atkinson and Coia’s program framework.
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Family burden, self-efficacy, support. |
| Family Visit Education Program (McCallion) |
Family Visit Education Program (FVEP) conducted on family members, nursing staff, and nursing home residents with dementia.
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Effective for improving the way visitors communicated with residents. |
| Care Consultation telephone-based empowerment intervention (Bass) |
Based on a model of empowerment, the care consultant conducts structured initial assessment and works with families to help identify personal strengths. Provides tools to increase caregiver competence and self-efficacy and to help them make own decisions. Also provides information about community services and facilitates decisions about how to utilize services. Click for More Information |
Decreased managed care utilization, improved satisfaction with care services, and decreased caregiver depression |
| Mutual support group (Chien) |
3-month mutual support group meeting weekly for 2 hr/week led by psychiatric nurse and peer leader; routine psychiatric outpatient services. Principles guiding intervention (based on previous family caregiver support interventions): (1) sharing personal data (2) fostering problem-solving, (3) encouraging discussion of taboo areas, (4) fostering a sense of ‘all-in-the-same boat", (5) encouraging mutual support, and (6) providing opportunities of individual problem solving.
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Decreased family burden, increased family functioning, decreased rate of patient rehospitalization. |
| Geriatric Home Hospitalization Services (Tibaldi) |
Geriatric Home Hospitalization Services (GHHS)- medical care at home. Training in emergency procedures, provision of necessary supplies, and need-based services over time. Availability of professional services by phone 12 hrs/ day provided by multidisciplinary team.
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Decreased caregiver distress and improved patient behavior. |
| Individualized plan of care based on Progressively Lowered Stress Threshold (PLST) model (Buckwalter) |
Individualized plan of care based on the Progressively Lowered Stress Threshold (PLST) model (need environmental modifications because of declining cognitive/functional abilities; this reduces stress and promotes functional adaptive behavior); community-based psychoeducational intervention, combined with routine information and referrals. Approximately 3 to 4 hours of in-home intervention, and biweekly follow-up phone calls for 6 months. Click for More Information |
Decreased caregiver depression |
| Southern Illinois Rural Caregiver Telehealth Project (Chwalisz/Dollinger) |
Supportive services and resources through the Tele-Help Line for Caregiers are provided during structured telephone counseling sessions. Click for More Information |
Caregivers report significantly less stress and improved social role functioning support |
| Stress management program for elder caregivers (Lopez) |
Eight 1 hr. weekly therapist-led sessions. Between sessions, the caregivers received written material that outlined session material and homework exercises. This was a multicomponent cognitive-behavioral program, called ‘‘Workshop for Caregivers: How to Maintain Your Well-Being.’’ It included: introduction to the ABC Model (activating events (A), beliefs (B), and consequences (C)), cognitive restructuring; training in assertive communication skills to improve social support; problem-solving training in order to increase problem-focused coping; and techniques to improve self-esteem, as well as diaphragmatic breathing and planning to increase pleasant activities.
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Caregivers in the traditional weekly sessions experienced the highest reduction in depressive and anxious symptoms. Caregivers in the traditional weekly sessions had lower posttreatment levels of depression and anxiety. They had also lower levels of depression than did caregivers in the minimal-therapist-contact intervention. |
| Project CARE (Gonyea) |
5-week (1x week, 90 min) group-based behavioral intervention led by trained interventionists aimed to reduce caregiver distress and burden related to neuropsychiatric symptoms of patients with AD, and to decrease neuropsychiatric symptoms among individuals with dementia. Intervention utilizes 3 primary behavioral components:behavioral management training, pleasant events training, and relaxation training. Click for More Information |
Caregivers in the behavioral intervention group displayed significantly greater reductions in caregiver distress related to neuropsychiatric symptoms. Global caregiver burden, however, did not decrease significantly for caregivers. |
| Family Support Organizer stroke intervention (Mant) |
Nature of Family Support Organizer "FSO" contact varied by needs of caregiver. FSO group received 8 stroke leaflets w/ stroke info. (e.g. causes, effects) and community resources distributed one week post-stroke. 6-mo follow-up home visit
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Better activity level, health status, quality of life, and satisfaction with understanding of stroke. |
| REACH I trial (Burgio) |
This was a REACH I trial with 2 intervention groups: 1)Minimal support condition (MSC) and 2) behavioral skills training (BST). The MSC received 10 phone contacts and 3 mailed packages of therapeutic material over a 12 month period. The phone contacts provided support composed of empathic statements and active listening. The STC received 10 hour-long, in home sessions over a 12 month period. STC consisted of: 1) basic therapeutic information, 2) instruction on behavior management techniques and assistance in setting-up individualized behavior programs fo problem behavior, 3) problem solving training to help the caregiver reach goals to ameliorate distress, 4) cognitive restructuring to encourage benign appraisals of stressors.
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After intervention both groups' reported fewer problem behaviors, less behavioral bother, and increased satisfaction with pleasure activities. White caregivers showed more improvement in the MSC; Black caregivers showed more improved in the STC. |