WECARE: A Behavioral Intervention for Dementia Caregivers

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Caregiver Stress Syndrome; Caregiver Burden
• Interventions: Behavioral: Wellness Enhancement for Caregivers (WECARE)

• Registration Number: NCT05992467
• Lead Sponsor: George Mason University

Brief Summary

This study aims to pilot test a culturally tailored behavioral intervention called "WECARE" to enhance caregiving mastery and improve psychosocial wellbeing of Chinese American family caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's Disease and related dementia.

Detailed Description

The investigators propose to test a culturally tailored mHealth behavioral intervention to enhance caregiving mastery and improve psychosocial wellbeing among Chinese American family caregivers of persons living with Alzheimer's Disease and related dementia. This intervention, Wellness Enhancement for Caregivers (WECARE), will be delivered via WeChat, a social media app highly popular among Chinese Americans. About 45 participants will be recruited for the pilot test. Participants will complete a baseline survey, receive 7-week WECARE program on their WeChat accounts, complete a follow-up survey 12 weeks after the baseline, and then a qualitative interview on Zoom.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2023-07-06
• Study First Submitted QC: 2023-08-07
• Study First Posted: 2023-08-15
• Study Start: 2023-09-01
• Primary Completion: 2024-08-31
• Study Completion: 2024-08-31
• Status Verified: 2024-10
• Last Update Submitted: 2024-10-22
• Last Update Posted: 2024-10-24

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 48

Inclusion Criteria

1. 21 years or older,
2. self-identified as Chinese or Chinese American,
3. speak and read Chinese (Mandarin or Cantonese),
4. own a smartphone and use WeChat,
5. living in Washington DC metropolitan, and
6. currently care for a family member with ADRD and provide care for at least 10 hours a week.

Exclusion Criteria

1. do not read or speak Chinese,
2. care-recipient is in hospice care or have a life expectancy less than 6 months,
3. signs of severe intellectual deficits or psychotic disorders, or
4. unable to provide informed consent.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: SINGLE_GROUP

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
WECARE	Wellness Enhancement for Caregivers (WECARE)	Participants will first complete a baseline survey online, then subscribe to the WECARE official account on their own WeChat accounts and begin receiving the 7-week interactive and personalized program. The program content includes short video clips, pictorial messages, and audio recordings. Each week, the WECARE program is focused on a theme aimed to increase participants' caregiving mastery, enhance self-care, and improve psychosocial wellbeing. Four weeks after the intervention or 11 weeks after the baseline, participants will complete a follow-up survey online.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Efficacy of behavioral intervention in change from baseline in depressive symptoms	Baseline (before the intervention) and follow-up (week 11-12, or 4-5 weeks after the intervention	The baseline and follow-up differences in depressive symptoms will be assessed. Depressive symptoms will be measured by the CES-D, a 20-item survey instrument. The total score will be calculated to quantify depressive symptoms. The baseline and follow-up differences in the scores will be calculated.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Efficacy of behavioral intervention in change from baseline in life satisfaction	Baseline (before the intervention) and follow-up (week 11-12, or 4-5 weeks after the intervention	The baseline and follow-up differences in life satisfaction will be assessed. Life satisfaction will be measured by the Life Satisfaction Scale, a 5-item survey instrument. The total score will be calculated to quantify life satisfaction. The baseline and follow-up differences in the scores will be calculated.
Efficacy of behavioral intervention in change from baseline in caregiving burden	Baseline (before the intervention) and follow-up (week 11-12, or 4-5 weeks after the intervention	The baseline and follow-up differences in caregiving burden will be assessed. Caregiving burden will be measured by the Zarit Burden Interview, a 12-item survey instrument. The total score will be calculated to quantify caregiving burden. The baseline and follow-up differences in the scores will be calculated.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

George Mason University; 🇺🇸 Fairfax, Virginia, United States