Support for caregivers of people with heart disease to reduce stress
Official title: Supporting Mental Health and Reducing Care Stress in Caregivers of Persons With Cardiovascular Disease: A Hybrid Effectiveness-Implementation Study of Caregiving Support in Cardiac Rehabilitation
Run by University of California, Davis · NCT07717723 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests whether the Confident Caregiver program can help family caregivers of people with cardiovascular disease feel less burdened and stressed, with sessions delivered virtually.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 40 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of California, Davis Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Sacramento, California) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | July 23, 2026 |
| Main results expected | July 2027 |
| Study ends | December 2027 |
| Registry record updated | July 27, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07717723 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal participants are English-speaking adults aged 18 or older who are family caregivers for a patient in UC Davis Cardiac Rehabilitation and have caregiving-related challenges they want support with.
✕Probably not a fit
Caregivers without caregiving-related challenges or those unable to participate virtually may derive less or no benefit.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This Type 1 hybrid effectiveness-implementation study examines a four-session Confident Caregiver intervention for family caregivers of patients in a cardiac rehabilitation program. Sessions are tailored, delivered virtually over 8 to 12 weeks, and focus on assessing caregiving challenges, coaching, stress reduction, education, and connecting to supports. Primary endpoints look at caregiving challenges and related difficulties, while secondary endpoints assess caregiver mood, anxiety, stress, and overall well-being. Exploratory aims consider potential impacts on clinic-level cardiac rehab outcomes and patient-centered experiences. Feasibility and acceptability for caregivers and clinicians in cardiac rehab will also be evaluated.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, caregivers may experience reduced burden and better mental well-being, potentially improving the caregiving experience and engagement in cardiac rehabilitation.
How similar studies have gone: Prior similar caregiver support approaches have shown promise in reducing caregiver burden and distress in other chronic illness settings, though this specific program is being tested in the cardiac rehab context.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * 18 years of age or older * Is a caregiver for a patient receiving care in our UC Davis Cardiac Rehabilitation Clinic. A caregiver is defined as someone who provides support to the patient with one or more basic or instrumental activities of daily living. * Has one or more caregiving-related challenges or issues that they would like support with * Is able to read and speak in English Exclusion Criteria: * Is a paid professional caregiver with no family or fictive kin relationship with the care recipient * Has a diagnosis of major cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's or related dementias * Is unable to complete the protocol or participate in the intervention (e.g., unavailable during the intervention period, unable to access or use virtual meeting technology)
Where it's running
-
University of California Davis Health System
Sacramento, California, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Julie T Bidwell, PhD,RN
- Email: jtbidwell@health.ucdavis.edu
- Phone: 503-756-1996
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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.