Structured retrieval practice versus reading-based education for family dementia caregivers
A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Care Partner-Centered Structured Retrieval Practice Intervention for Dementia Caregiver Education and Well-Being
NA · Virginia Wesleyan University · NCT07413406
This project will test whether structured retrieval practice helps family caregivers of people with dementia remember and use caregiving and self-care strategies better than traditional reading-based education.
Quick facts
| Phase | NA |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 65 (estimated) |
| Ages | 50 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Virginia Wesleyan University (other) |
| Locations | 1 site (Virginia Beach, Virginia) |
| Trial ID | NCT07413406 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This randomized controlled trial assigns informal dementia caregivers to either a structured retrieval practice (SRP) educational program or a traditional reading-based education program. Both groups receive the same content on managing dementia-related behaviors, coping strategies, and caregiver self-care, but SRP requires repeated recall with corrective feedback to promote long-term retention. Outcomes include knowledge retention, caregiving self-efficacy, perceived stress, and caregiver-reported severity of dementia-related behavioral symptoms measured at baseline, 2 days, 2 weeks, and 2 months. The trial also measures feasibility, acceptability, and adherence using self-report measures and backend program usage data.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are unpaid family or friend caregivers aged 50 or older who provide ongoing support to someone with dementia, report moderate-to-high perceived stress (PSS-10 ≥ 14), can read English, and have a computer, tablet, or smartphone with internet access.
Not a fit: Paid or professional caregivers, caregivers under 50, those with low perceived stress (PSS-10 < 14), caregivers of individuals without cognitive impairment, or people without the cognitive, sensory, or technological ability to complete procedures are unlikely to receive benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, SRP could help caregivers retain practical caregiving skills longer, reduce stress, and improve everyday management of dementia-related behaviors.
How similar studies have performed: Retrieval practice has strong evidence for improving long-term learning in educational research, but applying SRP specifically to dementia caregiver training is novel and has limited prior clinical data.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Adults aged 50 years or older * Informal (unpaid) caregiver for a family member or friend living with dementia * Providing ongoing assistance or support to the individual with dementia * Reports moderate to high perceived stress, defined as a score of 14 or higher on the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) * Able to speak and read English * Able to complete study procedures either in person or remotely * Has access to a computer, tablet, or smartphone with internet access * Willing and able to provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Paid or professional caregivers (e.g., home health aides) * Caregivers younger than 50 years of age * Caregivers reporting low perceived stress (PSS-10 score below 14) * Caregivers providing assistance to an individual without evidence of cognitive - impairment, as determined by a dementia screening interview (AD8 score \< 2) * Inability to complete study procedures due to cognitive, sensory, or technological limitations * Failure to meet study screening requirements or provide informed consent
Where this trial is running
Virginia Beach, Virginia
- Virginia Wesleyan University — Virginia Beach, Virginia, United States (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Robert Ariel, PhD
- Email: confidentcarestudy@gmail.com
- Phone: 757-455-3368
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.
Conditions: Dementia, Alzheimer Disease, Caregiver Stress, Dementia caregivers, Informal caregivers, Family caregiving, Structured retrieval practice, Retrieval Practice