Long-term outcomes of the benefit-finding group intervention for Alzheimer family caregivers: A cluster-randomized double-blind controlled trial

Cheng, Sheung-Tak, Chan, Wai Chi and Lam, Linda C. W. (2019) Long-term outcomes of the benefit-finding group intervention for Alzheimer family caregivers: A cluster-randomized double-blind controlled trial. The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 27 (9). pp. 984-994. ISSN 1064-7481

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Abstract

Objectives: To examine the effects of the group benefit-finding intervention (BFT) for Alzheimer family caregivers up to 10-month follow-up. Design: Cluster-randomized double-blind controlled trial. Setting: Social centers and clinics. Participants: 129 caregivers. Inclusion criteria were (a) primary caregiver aged 18+ and without cognitive impairment, (b) providing ≥14 care hours per week to a relative with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease, and (c) scoring ≥3 on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. Exclusion criterion was care-recipient having parkinsonism or other forms of dementia. Interventions: BFT (using cognitive reappraisal to find positive meanings) was evaluated against two forms of psychoeducation as controls—standard (STD-PE) and simplified (lectures only; SIM-PE) psychoeducation. All interventions had eight weekly sessions of 2 hours each. Measurements: Primary outcome was depressive symptom, whereas secondary outcomes were global burden, role overload, and psychological well-being. Measures were collected at baseline, post-intervention, and 4- and 10-month follow-up. Results: Mixed-effects regression showed that BFT's effect on depressive symptoms conformed to a curvilinear pattern, in which the strong initial effect leveled out after post-intervention and was maintained up to 10-month follow-up; this was true when compared against either control group. The effect on global burden was less impressive but moderate effect sizes were found at the two follow-ups. For psychological well-being, there was an increase in the BFT group at 4-month follow-up and a return to baseline afterwards. No effect on role overload was found. Conclusions: Benefit-finding reduces depressive symptoms as well as global burden in the long-term, and increases psychological well-being in the medium-term.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: sdg 3 - good health and well-being ,/dk/atira/pure/sustainabledevelopmentgoals/good_health_and_well_being
Faculty \ School: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
Depositing User: LivePure Connector
Date Deposited: 27 Mar 2019 12:30
Last Modified: 25 May 2023 14:31
URI: https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/70359
DOI: 10.1016/j.jagp.2019.03.013

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