Reducing emotional distress for people with young-onset dementia and their care partners
Addressing Emotional Distress in Dyads of Persons With a Young Onset Dementia (YOD) and Their Care-partners
This project will test whether a brief, six-session virtual program delivered to people with young-onset dementia and their care partners can prevent long-term emotional distress.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 388 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Massachusetts General Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Boston, Massachusetts) |
| Trial ID | NCT07018726 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This interventional trial delivers a brief, dyadic behavioral program (Resilient Together-YOD) via six virtual sessions to pairs of a person with young-onset dementia and their designated care partner and compares it with a health enhancement program control. Enrollment targets dyads in which the person with dementia received a diagnosis within the past six months, both members are aged 18–65, fluent in English, have internet and a camera-equipped device, and show some emotional distress on screening. Sessions are completed together by the dyad and designed to build resilience, reduce persistent anxiety/depression symptoms, and improve quality of life for both members. The trial is run through Massachusetts General Hospital and emphasizes feasibility, acceptability, and prevention of chronic emotional distress.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are dyads where one member received a young-onset dementia diagnosis within the past six months, both members are 18–65, English-fluent, able to consent and use videoconferencing, have a willing care partner, and screen positive for emotional distress on HADS.
Not a fit: Patients with untreated or unstable severe mental illness, a concurrent terminal diagnosis, lack of internet/device access, or cognitive impairment preventing meaningful participation are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could lower persistent anxiety and depression symptoms and improve resilience and quality of life for both the person with young-onset dementia and their care partner.
How similar studies have performed: Brief dyadic and virtual psychosocial programs have shown promise in other caregiving and chronic illness contexts, but dyadic virtual interventions specifically tailored to young-onset dementia remain relatively novel and not widely tested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Between the ages of 18-65 at the time of enrollment \[both patient and care-partner\] * Diagnosis of young-onset dementia (FTD, PPA, AD, PCA, etc.) with symptom onset prior to age 65 \[patient\] * A designated care-partner willing and interested to participate \[both patient and care-partner\] * Received YOD diagnosis in the past 6 month \[patient\] * English fluency and literacy \[both patient and care-partner\] * Cognitive ability to understand study and research protocol in order to consent to study participation per referring neurologist \[both patient and care-partner\] * Patient and/or caregiver exhibit emotional distress on screening (using HADS D and/or HADS A scores \> 7) Exclusion Criteria: * An additional, terminal diagnosis such as cancer * Lack of access to internet and/or a device with a camera * Current untreated or unstable severe mental health conditions like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or active substance use
Where this trial is running
Boston, Massachusetts
- Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) — Boston, Massachusetts, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Ana-Maria Vranceanu, PhD
- Email: avranceanu@mgh.harvard.edu
- Phone: 617-724-4977
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.