Caregiver Training: Evidence of Its Effectiveness for Cognitive and Functional Improvement in Older Adults

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Older Adults; Functional Ability; Cognitive Decline; Healthy Aging

• Registration Number: NCT04490070
• Lead Sponsor: Universidad de Granada

Brief Summary

Due to demographic changes that have resulted in an aging population, the role of caregiver of an older adult has become very important in recent years. While numerous programs have been designed to lighten the caregiver's physical and emotional burden, fewer programs train caregivers to improve skills and level of independence in the person they care for. The objectives of this research study were to assess the benefits of a caregiver training program on the cognitive and functional status of older adults, as well as to compare the effects of this program according to type of caregiver (professional caregiver vs. family caregiver). Methods: The sample was composed of 160 older adults: a) 100 received care from caregivers who had taken the training program (treatment group), of which 60 were professional caregivers and 40 were family caregivers; and b) 60 received care from caregivers who had not taken the program (control group). In order to evaluate program effects on cognitive and functional status, we used both direct measures (MMSE, CAPE and EuroQol) and caregiver reports (Barthel and RMPBC).

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2015-12-10
• Primary Completion: 2020-03-10
• Study Completion: 2020-03-10
• Status Verified: 2020-07
• Study First Submitted: 2020-07-23
• Study First Submitted QC: 2020-07-27
• Last Update Submitted: 2020-07-27
• Study First Posted: 2020-07-28
• Last Update Posted: 2020-07-28

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 160

Inclusion Criteria

• Older adults: age 65 or older, receiving care, no diagnosis of dementia, and their informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: SEQUENTIAL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
The Procedimiento de Evaluación Clifton para Ancianos - Cognitive Scale, a Spanish adaptation of the Clifton Assessment Procedure for the Elderly (CAPE).	9 months	In the present study, we used the cognitive assessment scale only, which includes one part on information and orientation and another part on mental ability. The final score ranges from 0 to 23 points and higher scores mean a better outcome. Its test-retest reliability falls between 0.79 and 0.90, and between 0.61 and 0.69, for the information and orientation scale and for the mental ability scale, respectively.
EuroQol	9 months	Generic measure of health-related quality of life. The individual rates his or her own state of health, first rating levels of severity by dimensions, and afterward a more general assessment using a 20-centimeter visual analog scale (VAS) that goes from 0 to 100. Scores range from 0 to 2 on each of the test scales, and higher scores mean a worse result.
Barthel Index	9 months	Evaluates the person's functional ability based on 10 items answered by the caregiver. Scores range from 0 to 100, with 0 being completely dependent and 100 completely independent. Its internal consistency presents an alpha coefficient between 0.86 and 0.92 and interjudge reliability between 0.84 and 0.97.
Mini-Examen-Cognoscitivo (MEC), Spanish adaptation of the Mini-Mental-State-Examination (MMSE).	9 months	This screening instrument is widely used for detecting cognitive impairment. The final score ranges from 0 to 35 points and is often used as a global index and method for monitoring the evolution of cognitive functions in cognitive impairment and dementia. It has high internal consistency (α = 0.88), good test-retest reliability (0.64-1.00; p \< 0.01) and good interjudge reliability (0.69-1.00; p \< 0.01).
Revised Memory and Behavior Problem Checklist (RMBPC), in its Spanish version.	9 months	Evaluates problems in memory, behavior, and anxiety and depression. The caregiver indicates how often the person under her care has manifest each of the problems described during the past week (frequency scale) and the degree that this bothers or worries her (reaction scale). An alpha coefficient of 0.84 was found for the frequency scale, and 0.90 for the reaction scale.
Positive Aspects of Caregiving (PAC).	9 months	This 9-item instrument measures caregivers' satisfaction with providing care to the older adults. It consists of a 5-point Likert scale from 1 (disagree) to 5 (agree). Scores range from 9 to 45; higher scores indicate a more positive perception and gains from the caregiver experience. It presents good general reliability (Cronbach α = .89) and convergent validity (Cronbach α = .72).

Trial Locations

Locations (10)

Centro Cívico Genil del Ayuntamiento de Granada; 🇪🇸 Granada, Spain

Centro Residencial de Mayores "Entreálamos"; 🇪🇸 Atarfe, Granada, Spain

Residencia de mayores María Zayas; 🇪🇸 Belicena, Granada, Spain

Centro Cívico Zaidín del Ayuntamiento de Granada; 🇪🇸 Granada, Spain

University of Granada; 🇪🇸 Granada, Spain

Unidad de Estancia Diurna de Atarfe; 🇪🇸 Atarfe, Granada, Spain

Centro Residencial Geriatric XXI; 🇪🇸 Cúllar Vega, Granada, Spain

Centro Residencial Regina Mundi; 🇪🇸 Churriana de la Vega, Granada, Spain

Unidad de Estancia Diurna Dr. Alejandro Otero; 🇪🇸 Pulianas, Granada, Spain

Unidad de Estancia Diurna Ogíjares; 🇪🇸 Ogíjares, Granada, Spain