Two group-based, telehealth caregiver programs to reduce stress in dementia caregivers
Official title: Comparing Group Behavioral Interventions to Improve Dementia Caregiver Strain
Run by Massachusetts General Hospital · NCT07868588 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This trial tests whether Caring Together or Savvy Caregiver, delivered by telehealth, best reduces caregiver stress for people caring for someone with memory loss.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 450 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Massachusetts General Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Boston, Massachusetts) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | October 13, 2026 |
| Main results expected | February 1, 2031 |
| Study ends | July 1, 2031 |
| Registry record updated | October 20, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07868588 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Caregivers of a person with memory loss who are at least 18 years old, fluent in English or Spanish, and have a ZBI-6 score of 9 or higher or ZBI-22 score of 34 or higher.
✕Probably not a fit
Caregivers not meeting inclusion criteria or those with severe untreated mental illness, active suicide risk, or whose care recipient will be in hospice during the study may not benefit.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This randomized, comparative effectiveness study will enroll about 450 caregivers of people with memory loss to compare two group-based telehealth programs, Caring Together and Savvy Caregiver. Participants will be assigned to one of the two interventions and complete assessments at baseline, after the program (week 7), and six months later to see which program most effectively lowers caregiver strain and improves well-being. Primary outcome is caregiver strain measured by the Zarit Burden Interview, with secondary outcomes including depression, anxiety, physical health, and behavioral/psychiatric symptoms of the care recipient. The study will also explore heterogeneity of treatment effects by factors such as relationship type, service use, gender, and caregiver network size. Recruitment will involve caregivers from Mass General Brigham-affiliated dementia clinics in Boston, MA.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the more effective program could be adopted in clinical practice to reduce caregiver stress and improve overall caregiving well-being.
How similar studies have gone: Prior evidence supports group-based caregiver interventions; this study tests two established programs head-to-head to identify the more effective option in a real-world telehealth format.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
While the below criteria reference both the caregiver and care recipient, only caregivers will be enrolled in this study. Inclusion Criteria: * Caregiver of a person with memory loss currently * Care recipient currently living in community * Caregiver at least 18 years of age * Caregiver Zarit Burden Interview-6 (ZBI-6) greater than or equal to 9 or ZBI-22 greater than or equal to 34 * English or Spanish fluency/literacy * Able and willing to participate Exclusion Criteria: * Care recipient enrolled or planning to enroll in hospice * Severe, untreated mental illness or substance use (self or clinician report) * Active suicide risk * Residence outside the U.S. during study procedures
Where it's running
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Mass General Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Evan Plys, PhD — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: LIGHTEN Study Coordinator
- Email: mghlightenstudy@mgb.org
- Phone: 617-724-1279
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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.