Virtual Health Coach for Caregiver Stress
(iCare4Me T Trial)
Trial Summary
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. However, it mentions that using anti-anxiety or anti-depressant medicines is acceptable.
What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Virtual Health Coach for You, iCare4Me, Virtual Caregiver Coach for You?
Research shows that virtual health coaching and internet-based interventions can effectively reduce caregiver stress and improve their quality of life. Studies have found that caregivers using telehealth tools report significant improvements in their outcomes and are generally satisfied with these interventions.12345
How is the Virtual Health Coach for You treatment different from other treatments for caregiver stress?
What is the purpose of this trial?
The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to examine the effect of a virtual face-to-face health coach intervention to improve self-care among caregivers of hospitalized older adults during care transitions compared to web-based resource information alone to determine the effectiveness of each intervention. The main questions it aims to answer are:1. compare the efficacy of the virtual health coaching intervention vs. web-based information alone in improving self-care in caregivers of hospitalized community-dwelling older adults with multiple chronic conditions (MCCs) who transition from hospital to home,2. compare outcomes among Black/African American and White caregivers who receive the intervention vs. digital health information alone, and3. explore the estimated the cost of the interventions and acute care resource use among patients of caregivers who received virtual intervention vs. digital health information alone.Participants who enroll will agree to enroll will:* be randomly assigned to either the health information group or the health coaching intervention plus health information group for six months, and* be asked to complete a baseline interview, a check-in call at one month post-hospital discharge, and two follow-up interviews at 3- and 6-months after enrollment.Researchers will compare the two groups of caregivers on the following outcomes: self-care, caregiver self-efficacy (aka confidence), coping, stress, and health status.
Research Team
Karen Hirschman, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
University of Pennsylvia
Eligibility Criteria
This trial is for caregivers aged 18+ who provide at least 8 hours of weekly care to hospitalized adults over 65, have poor self-care habits, are willing and able to use technology, and speak English. Those with cognitive deficits, enrolled in similar trials, or with untreated major psychiatric illnesses cannot participate.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Intervention
Participants are randomly assigned to either the digital health information group or the virtual health coaching plus digital health information group for six months
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for outcomes such as self-care, caregiver self-efficacy, coping, stress, and health status
Treatment Details
Interventions
- Virtual Health Coach for You
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of Pennsylvania
Lead Sponsor
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Collaborator