NCT03391596

Internet-based Intervention for Enhancing the Psychological Well-being of Elderly Caregivers

CareACT - Internet-based Intervention for Enhancing the Psychological Well-being of Elderly Caregivers

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 151 (actual)
• Sponsor: The Gerocenter Foundation for Research and Development · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 60 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

This study will examine whether an Internet-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) intervention is effective, firstly, on reducing depressive symptoms, and, secondly, on improving well-being of elderly family caregivers. In our study, we will compare 1) the experimental Internet-based ACT group to 2) standardized institutional rehabilitation carried out in rehabilitation centers and to 3) support provided by voluntary family caregiver associations

Detailed description

It is well-known that stress, low quality of life and depression are relatively common problems among family caregivers. The proportion of elderly family caregivers is rapidly increasing which emphasizes the need for new support systems. Internet-delivered psychological interventions are one possible approach, offering benefits as they are more easily to achieve for family caregivers who often are home-bound with their relatives. This study will examine whether an Internet-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy intervention would be effective, firstly, on reducing depressive symptoms, and, secondly, on improving well-being of elderly family caregivers.The family caregivers' depressive symptoms, perceived burden, anxiety, quality of life, psychological flexibility, personality and physical performance will be studied by a quasi-experimental study design comparing three groups of family caregivers (Group 1, experimental: Internet-based ACT intervention; Group 2, active comparator: Standardized institutional rehabilitation in a rehabilitation center; Group 3, other: Support given by voluntary family caregiver associations). Data collection will be performed at three time points: pre, 4 months and post (10 months). Secondly, we also aim to examine demographics and psychological variables that could predict change in depression and perceived burden over time (pre, 4 months and post (10 months). A further aim of the study is to examine potential mediators on the effect of the interventions including psychological flexibility and suppression of thoughts. Moreover, we aim to study user experiences and satisfaction of the Internet-based program, i.e., how the family caregivers experience and accept the web-based ACT intervention.

Conditions

• Depressive Symptoms
• Psychological Distress
• Quality of Life

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Internet-based ACT intervention	The Internet-based ACT intervention is a 12-week program based on the processes of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
BEHAVIORAL	Standardized rehabilitation	Standardized institutional rehabilitation in a rehabilitation center
BEHAVIORAL	Support by voluntary caregiver associations	Support given by voluntary caregiver associations

Timeline

• Start date: 2016-12-01
• Primary completion: 2018-10-31
• Completion: 2018-10-31
• First posted: 2018-01-05
• Last updated: 2019-04-19

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Finland