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Measuring the Effectiveness of Self-Care Sampler for Family Care Partners in Reducing Caregiver Stress

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Caregiver Stress
Interventions
Behavioral: Self-Care Sampler for Family Carer Partners
Registration Number
NCT05390333
Lead Sponsor
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
Brief Summary

To determine the effectiveness of the Self-care Sampler for Family Care Partners program in reducing caregiver stress over the 6-week program period. Hypothesis: Participants who attend the 6 class sessions over 6 weeks of the program will have a lower score on the Modified Caregiver Strain Index (MCSI) when compared to baseline. This will indicate a decrease in overall stress.

Detailed Description

The 6-week Self-Care Sampler for Family Caregivers program was created to provide a variety of evidence-based self-care practices that improve the mental and physical health of caregivers by relieving stress and encouraging preventive health behaviors (Acton, 2002). To determine the effectiveness of the Self-care Sampler for Family Care Partners program in reducing caregiver stress over the 6-week program period. Hypothesis: Participants who attend the 6 class sessions over 6 weeks of the program will have a lower score on the Modified Caregiver Strain Index (MCSI) when compared to baseline. This will indicate a decrease in overall stress. For each 6-week program, sessions will take place once a week for 90 minutes, each starting with a centering exercise and focusing on a new form of self-care. The program gives caregivers a space to connect with others and form social bonds that could extend outside of our sessions. We will run the 6-week Self-Care Sampler for Family Caregivers program three times (three intervention periods) in 2022.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
19
Inclusion Criteria
  • Any relative, partner, friend or neighbor who has a significant personal relationship with, and provides a broad range of assistance for, an older person or an adult with a chronic or disabling condition.
Exclusion Criteria
  • Those who cannot speak English which would prevent full participation
  • Those with hearing, vision, or cognitive impairment that prevents participation over video
  • Individuals who are not adults
  • Prisoners

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
SINGLE_GROUP
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Self-Care Sampler for Family Care PartnersSelf-Care Sampler for Family Carer PartnersThe 6-week Self-Care Sampler for Family Caregivers program was created to provide a variety of evidence-based self-care practices that improve the mental and physical health of caregivers by relieving stress. Sessions will take place once a week for 90 minutes, each starting with a centering exercise and focusing on a new form of self-care. The first 30 minutes will be used for a support group and the last 60 minutes will be for a self-care practice. Self-care practices that will be offered throughout the 6 weeks include mindfulness, mindful drawing, exercise, and health prevention and promotion.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Stress, as measured by Modified Caregiver Strain Index changeBaseline, week 1 change Post-Intervention, week 6

This index includes questions that measure the perception of persistent problems and feelings of decreased well-being that results from providing prolonged care. Respondents will provide one of the following responses to each of 13 questions:

* Yes, on a regular basis (2 points)

* Yes, sometimes (1 point)

* No (0 points) These questions will be presented to the participants in a survey prior to the program and after the program. Scoring ranges from 26 to 0 with a higher score indicates a higher level of caregiver strain.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Dartmouth Centers for Health and Aging

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Lebanon, New Hampshire, United States

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