Effectiveness of the web-based self-management intervention ‘Partner in Balance’ for family caregivers of people with early-stage dementia

Recruiting

Conditions: Intervention, e-health, self-management, family/informal caregivers, dementia, MCI (Mild Cognitive Impairment), online, computer, preventionInterventie, e-health, zelfmanagement, mantelzorgers, dementia, MCI (milde geheugenproblemen), online, computer, preventie

Registration Number: NL-OMON24958

Lead Sponsor: Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC+)P. Debyelaan 256229 HXMaastrichtThe Netherlands

Brief Summary: /A

Detailed Description: Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status: Recruiting

Sex: Not specified

Target Recruitment: 80

Inclusion Criteria

Family caregiver of people with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) or mild dementia of all subtypes as described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
- Caregiver has access to the Internet at home and already masters basic skills in the use of computers.
- Written informed consent is obtained.

Exclusion Criteria

- Caregivers who have insufficient cognitive abilities to engage in the online self-management program (based on clinical judgment of knowledgeable practitioner, based on his/her experience with the target group).
- Caregivers who are overburdened or have severe health problems (based on clinical judgment of knowledgeable practitioner, based on his/her experience with the target group).
- Caregivers who’s current or near-future situation demands acute, intensive counselling (based on clinical judgment of knowledgeable practitioner, based on his/her experience with the target group).
- Caregivers of people with dementia caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), acquired brain impairment, Down syndrome, chorea of Huntington or alcohol abuse.

Study & Design

Study Type: Interventional

Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
The effect evaluation of the online self-management program will be based on the Stress and Coping Model (Lazarus & Folkman, 1984) and the Social Learning theory (Bandura, 1977). The underlying assumption of these models and the findings from previously executed studies in the line of the current research (systematic review (Boots, de Vugt et al. 2013) and focus group study (Boots et al., in preparation)) has resulted in an ambitious set of measures aimed at self-care and goal achievement to promote more healthy behavior. The self-management programme aims to strengthen caregivers in the early stages and increase their confidence level. Therefore, our primary proximal outcomes will be feelings of self-confidence in spouses. The primary distal outcome will be depressive complaints in the spouse.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Secondary proximal outcome is experienced control and goal attainment. Secondary distal outcome is psychological complaints. Possible mediating factors of the online self-management program on the primary outcome measures (e.g. coping style, emotional instability and quality of the relationship with the patient) will also evaluated.