Cognitive Empathy Training for Dementia Caregivers

Recruiting at 2 trial locations

Overseen By James Rilling, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Emory University

Disqualifiers: Seizures, Neurological disorders, Alcoholism, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 28

118 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. It might be best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Cognitive Empathy Training for dementia caregivers?

Research shows that training programs focused on empathy can improve caregivers' ability to understand and communicate with people with dementia, leading to better care and improved well-being for both caregivers and patients. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is Cognitive Empathy Training safe for humans?

The research on empathy training, including methods like augmented reality and virtual simulation, suggests these programs are generally safe for caregivers and healthcare providers. They focus on improving empathy and communication skills without reported safety concerns. ^{1 2 4 6 7}

How is Cognitive Empathy Training different from other treatments for dementia caregivers?

Cognitive Empathy Training is unique because it focuses on enhancing caregivers' ability to understand and share the feelings of people with dementia, which can reduce caregiving anger and improve communication. Unlike other treatments, it may use virtual reality to simulate the dementia experience, helping caregivers develop empathy in a more immersive and impactful way. ^{1 3 4 5 8}

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal of this project is to investigate the effect of cognitive empathy training on mental health, inflammation, and immune function in caregivers of people living with dementia (PLWD), and to examine the underlying psychological and neurobiological mechanisms. The primary aim is to establish the effectiveness of cognitive empathy training in improving caregiver mental health and immune function, and in decreasing caregiver inflammation The secondary aim is to investigate the psychological and neurobiological mechanism by which cognitive empathy training improves caregiver well-being

Research Team

James Rilling, PhD

Principal Investigator

Emory College of Arts & Sciences

Kenneth Hepburn, PhD

Principal Investigator

Emory School of Nursing

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for caregivers of individuals with dementia, including Alzheimer's Disease. Participants should be in good general health and willing to undergo empathy training as well as pre and post intervention assessments like blood spot collection and MRI sessions.

Inclusion Criteria

Caregivers must be able to read and write English

Care recipient not in hospice

Caregivers must live with their care recipient

Exclusion Criteria

Subjects with a history of seizures or other neurological disorders, alcoholism, or any other substance abuse

Subjects with a history of head trauma based on Survey

Subjects with MRI contra-indications

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Empathy Training

Participants receive cognitive empathy training through a photo captioning intervention

6 months

Assessments at baseline, 10-day, and 6-month

Crossover

Participants crossover to the control condition or initiate the intervention

6 months

Assessments at 6-month and 10-day post-crossover

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after the intervention

6 months

Assessment at 12-month completion

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Cognitive Empathy Training

Trial Overview The study tests if cognitive empathy training can improve mental health, reduce inflammation, and boost immune function in dementia caregivers. It includes a control group for comparison and uses blood tests and MRIs to measure changes before and after the training.

Participant Groups

Group I: Group 2: Control Condition Experimental Treatment 3 Interventions

During the first phase of the study, participants in Group 2 are controls. At the 6-month time point, participants in Group 2 will crossover and initiate the intervention. Assessments will be collected at baseline, 10-day (immediate post-training), 6-month (crossover), 6-month and 10-day (immediate post-crossover), and 12-month (completion)

Group II: Group 1: Empathy Training Experimental Treatment 3 Interventions

Participants will be randomly assigned to the empathy training or control condition for 6 months. During the first phase of the study, participants in Group 1 will receive the photo captioning intervention. At the 6-month time point, participants in Group 1 will crossover to control. Assessments will be collected at baseline, 10-day (immediate post-training), 6-month (crossover), 6-month and 10-day (immediate post-crossover) and 12-month (completion)

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Emory University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,735

Recruited

2,605,000+

National Institute on Aging (NIA)

Collaborator

Trials

1,841

Recruited

28,150,000+

Findings from Research

The AREduX program uses augmented reality to simulate the physical and cognitive challenges faced by people living with dementia, aiming to enhance empathy among healthcare providers and caregivers.

This innovative training approach is designed to improve patient care and satisfaction by fostering empathetic responses, addressing a significant gap in existing empathy training programs for healthcare professionals.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Augmented Reality Education Experience (AREduX): An Augmented Reality Experience and Experiential Education Medium to Teach Empathy to Healthcare Providers and Caregivers of Persons Living With Dementia. Hollaender, G., Peisachovich, E., Kapralos, B., et al.[2023]

References

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

Interventions to Enhance Empathy and Person-Centered Care for Individuals With Dementia: A Systematic Review. [2021]

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

Empathy Training for Caregivers of Older People: A Systematic Review. [2022]

3. Scotland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Use and impact of virtual reality simulation in dementia care education: A scoping review. [2020]

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

Virtual simulation training: Imaged experience of dementia. [2020]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effect of multimodal comprehensive care methodology training on oral health care professionals' empathy for patients with dementia. [2021]

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

Augmented Reality Education Experience (AREduX): An Augmented Reality Experience and Experiential Education Medium to Teach Empathy to Healthcare Providers and Caregivers of Persons Living With Dementia. [2023]

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

A factorial randomized controlled trial to examine separate and combined effects of a simulation-based empathy enhancement program and a lecture-based education program on family caregivers of people with dementia. [2021]

8. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

What You Believe Can Affect How You Feel: Anger Among Caregivers of Elderly People With Dementia. [2021]