Reducing loneliness in caregivers of Alzheimer's patients
Increasing Meaning to Reduce Loneliness in Care Partners of Persons With AD/ADRD
This study is testing a new online program to help caregivers of Alzheimer's patients feel less lonely and find more meaning in their lives.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 96 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Northwell Health Academic / other |
| Locations | 4 sites (Manhasset, New York and 3 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT05460494 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This project aims to alleviate loneliness among care partners of individuals with Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and related dementias (ADRD) by enhancing their sense of meaning and purpose in life. Utilizing a web-based platform called RELOAD-C, the intervention incorporates concepts from Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy (MCP) to provide resources such as videos and virtual group meetings. The study involves preparatory work and stakeholder engagement to tailor the platform to the needs of care partners. By addressing the emotional and social challenges faced by these caregivers, the project seeks to improve their overall well-being.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are care partners of community-dwelling individuals with AD/ADRD who are lonely and meet specific eligibility criteria.
Not a fit: Patients who are not experiencing loneliness or those who are not the primary care partner may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly reduce feelings of loneliness among caregivers, leading to improved mental health and quality of life.
How similar studies have performed: While existing interventions for care partners have shown limited efficacy, this approach utilizing MCP concepts in a web-based format is innovative and may offer new insights into reducing loneliness.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * • Self-identify as the care partner of a community-dwelling (i.e. does not live in a nursing home or facility) person with AD/ADRD (diagnosis confirmed via the patients' electronic health record when possible) * report that their role as a care partner is not related to their employment (i.e. they are a family member or friend of the patient) * age 18 or older * English-speaking * competency to participate * access to a telephone, computer, Internet and email * care partners must be lonely, defined as scoring ≥35 on the UCLA Loneliness Scale Exclusion Criteria: * Unable to communicate in English * Under the age of 18 * only one care partner per patient will be allowed to participate * could not have participated in previous Aims (1 or 2) of this study
Where this trial is running
Manhasset, New York and 3 other locations
- Northwell Health, Institute of Health System Science — Manhasset, New York, United States (Not_yet_recruiting)
- Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine — New Hyde Park, New York, United States (Recruiting)
- Geriatric Medicine, Lenox Hill Hospital — New York, New York, United States (Recruiting)
- Staten Island University South Hospital — Staten Island, New York, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Allison Marziliano, PhD
- Email: amarzilian@northwell.edu
- Phone: 516-600-1440
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.