A program to help family caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's manage care tasks
Learning Skills Together: A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Complex Care Skills Intervention to Improve AD/ADRD Caregiver Self-Efficacy
This study is testing a 6-week program to see if it can help family caregivers of people with Alzheimer's feel better and manage their care tasks more effectively.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 200 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Case Western Reserve University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Cleveland, Ohio) |
| Trial ID | NCT05846984 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
The Learning Skills Together intervention is a 6-week psychoeducational program designed to support family caregivers of individuals living with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. This program focuses on enhancing caregivers' self-efficacy and reducing feelings of depression by teaching them complex care tasks. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the LST intervention group or a control group that emphasizes healthy living. Surveys will be administered before and after the intervention to assess changes in caregiver outcomes related to depression and perceptions of behavioral symptoms in dementia.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are family members aged 18 or older who provide care to individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias.
Not a fit: Patients who are unable to read and speak English or who plan to place their care recipient in a skilled nursing facility within the next 9 months may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this program could significantly improve the mental well-being and caregiving abilities of family caregivers.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown positive outcomes with similar psychoeducational interventions for caregivers, indicating potential for success.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Is aged 18 years or older * Be a family member, including "families of choice," to an individual living with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia who has received a diagnosis from a physician * Provide assistance with at least two instrumental activities of daily living or one activity of daily living * Report a Global Deterioration Scale (GDS) rating for care recipients between 4 to 6 * Commit to attending at least 5 of the 6 discussion sessions * Has reliable access to the internet and email and be able to attend synchronous sessions using the Zoom videoconferencing platform Exclusion Criteria: * Unable to read and speak English * Participated in Learning Skills Together in the past * Plans to place the care recipient in a skilled nursing facility within the next 9 months (i.e., study duration) * Was diagnosed with depression and/or started or significantly altered their depression treatment, including starting a pharmacological therapy or beginning therapy, in the previous 3 months
Where this trial is running
Cleveland, Ohio
- Case Western Reserve University — Cleveland, Ohio, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Kylie N Meyer, PhD, Mac — Case Western Reserve University
- Study coordinator: Kylie N Meyer, PhD, MSc
- Email: knm77@case.edu
- Phone: 216-368-1928
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.