Reducing emotional distress for people with young-onset dementia and their care partners
Official title: Addressing Emotional Distress in Dyads of Persons With a Young Onset Dementia (YOD) and Their Care-partners
Run by Massachusetts General Hospital · NCT07018726 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 70 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 388 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Massachusetts General Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Boston, Massachusetts) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | January 28, 2026 |
| Main results expected | July 1, 2030 |
| Study ends | January 1, 2031 |
| Registry record updated | October 6, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07018726 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a 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.
✕Probably 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.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
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.
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 gone: 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.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Patient Criteria: * 40 years of age or older * Diagnosis of young-onset dementia (FTD, PPA, AD, PCA, etc.) with symptom onset prior to age 65 or evidence of familial AD onset up to age 70 * Received YOD diagnosis in the past 10 months * English fluency and literacy * Cognitive ability to understand study and research protocol in order to consent to participation in intervention per referring neurologist and/or consent teach back questions * Must have a care-partner willing to participate Care-Partner Criteria: * 18 years of age or older * Care-partner to person diagnosed with young-onset dementia (FTD, PPA, AD, PCA, etc.) * English fluency and literacy Dyad Criteria: (Both Patient and Care-Partner): -At least one dyad member reports elevated emotional distress (HADS\>7) Exclusion Criteria: * An additional, terminal diagnosis such as cancer * Unwillingness to participate and use zoom for video conferencing * Current untreated or unstable severe mental health conditions like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or active substance use
Where it's running
-
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
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.