Family FINGER: lifestyle support for older spousal caregivers

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This is a randomized, parallel-group pilot trial conducted in Northern Savo, Finland, enrolling up to 100 older spousal caregivers living with a cognitively impaired partner. Participants are randomly assigned to the Family FINGER lifestyle intervention or standard care, with the primary outcome of positive mental health measured at 12 months. The intervention adapts the Finnish FINGER model to address caregivers’ needs, focusing on lifestyle, diet, physical activity, cognition, and social engagement, along with stress and quality of life assessments. Secondary outcomes include dementia risk, cognitive function, and broader health and lifestyle factors. Safety and feasibility are also monitored as part of the pilot.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Aged 65 and older.
* Caregiver for a spouse with cognitive impairment.
* Live in the same household with the care recipient.
* The presence of modifiable risk factors for health: at least one self-reported lifestyle-related risk factor, or self-reported CAIDE dementia risk scores of 6 or higher, or a self-reported burdensome caregiving situation.

Exclusion Criteria:

* A medication for Alzheimer's disease or diagnosis of dementia or suspected dementia (such as referral to or ongoing assessment process at memory clinic, or MoCa \< 18 points).
* Any health condition affecting safe engagement in the intervention, or the caregiving situation is such that specialised social or health care services are needed before safe engagement in the intervention can be ensured, according to clinical judgement.

Where it's running

• Department of Nursing Science
  Kuopio, Finland Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Tarja Välimäki, PhD
• Email: tarja.valimaki@uef.fi
• Phone: +358 40 355 2267

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.