Internet-based Intervention for Enhancing the Psychological Well-being of Elderly Caregivers

NCT ID: NCT03391596

Last Updated: 2019-04-19

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

151 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2016-12-01

Study Completion Date

2018-10-31

Brief Summary

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This study will examine whether an Internet-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) intervention is effective, firstly, on reducing depressive symptoms, and, secondly, on improving well-being of elderly family caregivers. In our study, we will compare 1) the experimental Internet-based ACT group to 2) standardized institutional rehabilitation carried out in rehabilitation centers and to 3) support provided by voluntary family caregiver associations

Detailed Description

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It is well-known that stress, low quality of life and depression are relatively common problems among family caregivers. The proportion of elderly family caregivers is rapidly increasing which emphasizes the need for new support systems. Internet-delivered psychological interventions are one possible approach, offering benefits as they are more easily to achieve for family caregivers who often are home-bound with their relatives.

This study will examine whether an Internet-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy intervention would be effective, firstly, on reducing depressive symptoms, and, secondly, on improving well-being of elderly family caregivers.The family caregivers' depressive symptoms, perceived burden, anxiety, quality of life, psychological flexibility, personality and physical performance will be studied by a quasi-experimental study design comparing three groups of family caregivers (Group 1, experimental: Internet-based ACT intervention; Group 2, active comparator: Standardized institutional rehabilitation in a rehabilitation center; Group 3, other: Support given by voluntary family caregiver associations). Data collection will be performed at three time points: pre, 4 months and post (10 months).

Secondly, we also aim to examine demographics and psychological variables that could predict change in depression and perceived burden over time (pre, 4 months and post (10 months). A further aim of the study is to examine potential mediators on the effect of the interventions including psychological flexibility and suppression of thoughts. Moreover, we aim to study user experiences and satisfaction of the Internet-based program, i.e., how the family caregivers experience and accept the web-based ACT intervention.

Conditions

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Depressive Symptoms Psychological Distress Quality of Life

Study Design

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Allocation Method

NON_RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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Internet-based ACT intervention

Group "Internet-based ACT intervention" will receive a 12-week Internet-based, acceptance and commitment therapy intervention

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Internet-based ACT intervention

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

The Internet-based ACT intervention is a 12-week program based on the processes of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

Standardized rehabilitation

Group "Standardized rehabilitation" will receive a standardized rehabilitation program in the rehabilitation center

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Standardized rehabilitation

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Standardized institutional rehabilitation in a rehabilitation center

Support by caregiver associations

Group "Support by voluntary caregiver associations" will receive support given by caregiver associations

Group Type OTHER

Support by voluntary caregiver associations

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Support given by voluntary caregiver associations

Interventions

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Internet-based ACT intervention

The Internet-based ACT intervention is a 12-week program based on the processes of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Standardized rehabilitation

Standardized institutional rehabilitation in a rehabilitation center

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Support by voluntary caregiver associations

Support given by voluntary caregiver associations

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* family caregiver
* at least 60 years of age



\- computer and Internet connection or willingness to use a tablet provided by the study

Exclusion Criteria

* parallel psychological treatment
* severe mental disorder
Minimum Eligible Age

60 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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The Gerocenter Foundation for Research and Development

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Riku Nikander

PhD, professor

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Riku Nikander, Professor

Role: STUDY_DIRECTOR

Gerocenter Foundation for Research and Development

Locations

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Gerocenter Foundation for Research and Development

Jyväskylä, , Finland

Site Status

Countries

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Finland

References

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Lappalainen P, Pakkala I, Nikander R. CareACT - internet-based intervention for enhancing the psychological well-being of elderly caregivers - a study protocol of a controlled trial. BMC Geriatr. 2019 Mar 5;19(1):72. doi: 10.1186/s12877-019-1071-9.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 30836951 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

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3E/2016

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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