App for Caregiver Stress in Dementia

Overseen By Louise Castillo, MSc

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Regina

Disqualifiers: Using caregiver stress app

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 8 weeks

200 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment CLEAR Dementia Care App for caregiver stress in dementia?

Research shows that app-based mindfulness programs can help reduce stress, depression, and anxiety in caregivers of people with dementia. This suggests that similar app-based interventions, like the CLEAR Dementia Care App, may also be effective in easing caregiver stress. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How does the app for caregiver stress in dementia differ from other treatments?

This app is unique because it provides a 12-week mindfulness-based self-compassion program specifically designed for dementia caregivers, which can be accessed conveniently on a smartphone, making it more accessible for those in isolated or rural areas compared to traditional in-person support groups. ^{1 5 6 7 8}

What is the purpose of this trial?

Caregivers of people living with dementia experience significant stress which can negatively affect their mental health. The goal of our study is to test a newly developed app that focuses on providing stress management strategies for caregivers of people living with dementia.

Research Team

Thomas Hadjistavropoulos, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Regina

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for unpaid caregivers, like family members, who are the primary carers for someone with dementia. They must own a smartphone or tablet but cannot already be using an app to manage caregiver stress.

Inclusion Criteria

Caregivers providing informal and unpaid care (e.g., spouses, children, relatives) for a person living with dementia

I am the main or one of the main caregivers for someone with dementia.

Own a smartphone/tablet (i.e., can access either IOS or Android platforms)

Exclusion Criteria

I am using an app to help manage my caregiver stress.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants use the UR Caregiver app daily for 8 weeks, completing one module per week

8 weeks

Daily app usage

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in stress, burden, and mental health after the treatment period

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• CLEAR Dementia Care
• UR Caregiver

Trial Overview The study tests a new app designed to help caregivers of people with dementia manage their stress. It will evaluate how effective the app is in providing strategies to alleviate the mental burden of caregiving.

Participant Groups

Group I: UR Caregiver group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will be asked to use the UR Caregiver app daily (e.g., at least 15 minutes/day) for 8 weeks and complete and practice one module per week. On the eighth week, participants will be asked to review one of the past modules of their choice.

Group II: Active control Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants will be asked to use the app daily (e.g., at least 15 minutes/day) for an 8-week period.

Group III: Non-app using control Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants in this group will not be using any apps in the study.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Regina

Lead Sponsor

Trials

59

Recruited

9,100+

Findings from Research

A mobile smartphone support app designed for primary caregivers of persons with dementia was found to be feasible and generally accepted, with participants reporting increased emotional well-being after a 12-week mindfulness-based self-compassion program.

While there were no significant changes in caregiver burden, the program successfully decreased emotion-based coping strategies, indicating a positive shift in how caregivers manage their stress and emotions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An App-Based Mindfulness-Based Self-compassion Program to Support Caregivers of People With Dementia: Participatory Feasibility Study. Goodridge, D., Reis, N., Neiser, J., et al.[2022]

A review of 75 dementia-related apps revealed that while most are free and aimed at caregivers, they often lack comprehensive content and support, with limited language options beyond English.

The quality of these apps is generally low, as indicated by the MARS appraisal, highlighting a need for better standardization and support services to help users find effective resources for dementia care.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mobile apps for dementia awareness, support, and prevention - review and evaluation. Chelberg, GR., Neuhaus, M., Mothershaw, A., et al.[2022]

The 'Partner in Balance' (PiB) program, which combines face-to-face coaching with online modules, was well-received by both caregivers and coaches, with a participation rate of 51.9% among eligible caregivers, indicating its potential effectiveness in supporting early-stage dementia caregivers.

Despite overall satisfaction, challenges such as recruitment barriers and the need for tailored content for specific subgroups, like younger caregivers, were identified, suggesting that further adaptation and awareness of blended care programs are necessary for successful implementation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Implementation of the Blended Care Self-Management Program for Caregivers of People With Early-Stage Dementia (Partner in Balance): Process Evaluation of a Randomized Controlled Trial. Boots, LM., de Vugt, ME., Smeets, CM., et al.[2022]

The FindMyApps tablet intervention was found to be useful and easy to use for individuals with mild dementia, helping them discover and engage with apps for self-management and meaningful activities, although they often required support from their informal carers.

While no significant differences were observed in outcome measures, qualitative feedback suggests that FindMyApps has the potential to enhance self-management abilities and engagement in activities for people with dementia, warranting further evaluation in future studies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Randomized controlled feasibility study of FindMyApps: first evaluation of a tablet-based intervention to promote self-management and meaningful activities in people with mild dementia. Kerkhof, Y., Kohl, G., Veijer, M., et al.[2022]

A study of 117 dementia caregivers found that perceived usefulness of mHealth apps was the strongest predictor of their intention to adopt these tools for managing chronic conditions, with an odds ratio of 23, indicating a significant relationship.

Caregiving factors like caregiver burden and time spent caregiving did not significantly influence the intention to adopt mHealth apps, suggesting that focusing on app features that enhance perceived usefulness may be more effective in encouraging adoption.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Factors Associated With Intention to Adopt mHealth Apps Among Dementia Caregivers With a Chronic Condition: Cross-sectional, Correlational Study. Mendez, KJW., Budhathoki, C., Labrique, AB., et al.[2021]

Caregivers who reported feeling 'completely overwhelmed' at the start of a comprehensive dementia care program experienced significantly higher levels of distress, depression, and burden compared to those who did not feel overwhelmed, indicating a need for targeted support.

Despite the high levels of distress among overwhelmed caregivers, their feelings did not predict long-term outcomes such as nursing home placement or mortality for the patients they care for, suggesting that caregiver support may be crucial without directly impacting patient outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Overwhelmed: a Dementia Caregiver Vital Sign. Reuben, DB., Romero, T., Evertson, LC., et al.[2023]

A review of 16 apps for informal caregivers of people living with dementia revealed that their features may not adequately meet the diverse needs of these caregivers.

In a controlled trial comparing two of the apps to a control group, no significant differences were found in outcomes, highlighting the need for improved app design based on caregiver feedback for future developments.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Are mobile apps meeting the needs of caregivers of people living with dementia? An evaluation of existing apps for caregivers. Castillo, LIR., Tran, V., Hadjistavropoulos, T.[2023]

The feasibility study of an 8-week virtual caregiver support group using avatars showed significant reductions in perceived stress, depression, and loneliness among participants, indicating its effectiveness in providing emotional support.

Participants reported high satisfaction and a strong sense of group presence, suggesting that the virtual format successfully overcame barriers to participation typically faced by caregivers of individuals with dementia.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Virtually supportive: a feasibility pilot study of an online support group for dementia caregivers in a 3D virtual environment. O'Connor, MF., Arizmendi, BJ., Kaszniak, AW.[2022]

References

1. Canada pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An App-Based Mindfulness-Based Self-compassion Program to Support Caregivers of People With Dementia: Participatory Feasibility Study. [2022]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mobile apps for dementia awareness, support, and prevention - review and evaluation. [2022]

3. Canada pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Implementation of the Blended Care Self-Management Program for Caregivers of People With Early-Stage Dementia (Partner in Balance): Process Evaluation of a Randomized Controlled Trial. [2022]

4. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Randomized controlled feasibility study of FindMyApps: first evaluation of a tablet-based intervention to promote self-management and meaningful activities in people with mild dementia. [2022]

5. Canada pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Factors Associated With Intention to Adopt mHealth Apps Among Dementia Caregivers With a Chronic Condition: Cross-sectional, Correlational Study. [2021]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Overwhelmed: a Dementia Caregiver Vital Sign. [2023]

7. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Are mobile apps meeting the needs of caregivers of people living with dementia? An evaluation of existing apps for caregivers. [2023]

8. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Virtually supportive: a feasibility pilot study of an online support group for dementia caregivers in a 3D virtual environment. [2022]