Text Messages for Caregiver Burnout

Overseen By Ji Won Choi, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of California, San Francisco

Disqualifiers: Traveling outside US, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 9 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how text messages can support caregivers of people with dementia, focusing on Korean American communities. It aims to improve understanding of Alzheimer's and related diseases and enhance caregiving skills. Individuals who identify as Korean American, care for someone with dementia, and have a mobile phone for receiving texts might be a good fit for this study. The goal is to help caregivers manage the emotional and practical demands of their role. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could significantly improve caregiving experiences.

Do I need to stop my current medications to join the trial?

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

What prior data suggests that these text messages are safe for caregivers?

Research has shown that using text messages in healthcare is generally safe. No reports indicate harm from misreading, misunderstanding, or privacy issues. Other studies suggest that digital tools, such as text messages, can help reduce stress and depression for caregivers. Overall, text messages appear to be a safe way to support caregivers. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about using text messages to address caregiver burnout because this approach is both innovative and accessible. Unlike traditional treatments, which might include therapy sessions or support groups, text messages offer a low-cost, convenient, and immediate form of support. This method allows caregivers to receive timely reminders and encouragement directly on their phones, which can be especially helpful in managing stress and boosting mental well-being. The novelty lies in its ability to provide continuous, real-time support without the need for scheduled appointments or travel, making it a flexible option for busy caregivers.

What evidence suggests that text messages are effective for caregiver burnout?

Research has shown that digital tools, such as text messages, can ease the burden on caregivers. In this trial, participants will receive text messages as part of the Brain Health Project. These messages help caregivers stay engaged and adhere to treatment plans. Studies also suggest that these digital tools can slightly reduce caregiver stress in the short term. They may also slightly improve caregivers' quality of life and assist with depression. Overall, text messages can effectively support caregivers, especially when tailored to their specific needs. ^{2 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Ji Won Choi, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of California, San Francisco

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for Korean American caregivers of individuals with dementia. It's designed to help those facing emotional, physical, and financial challenges due to caregiving duties. Participants should be able to receive text messages and understand Korean.

Inclusion Criteria

Self-identified as Korean American

Care for a person with undiagnosed or diagnosed dementia for the last 6 months

Have access to a mobile phone to receive text messages

Exclusion Criteria

Planning a trip out of the United States during the next four months

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive text messages as part of the Brain Health Project to increase knowledge of Alzheimer's disease and enhance caregiving skills

9 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Text messages

Trial Overview

The Brain Health Project tests whether sending educational text messages over 8 weeks can increase knowledge about dementia and improve caregiving skills among Korean American caregivers.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Brain Health Project Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Text messages

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of California, San Francisco

Lead Sponsor

Trials

2,636

Recruited

19,080,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of different reminder methods (text messages, reminder calls, or both) in increasing the use of service referrals among 300 participants from community outreach programs.

The research will help determine how mobile phone-based interventions can enhance community engagement and service utilization, potentially guiding future reminder protocols for similar programs across the country.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Research Protocol to Test the Effectiveness of Text Messaging and Reminder Calls to Increase Service Use Referrals in a Community Engagement Program. Varma, DS., Hart, M., McIntyre, DS., et al.[2020]

Home-based caregivers of individuals with dementia experience significant stress primarily due to challenges in medication management, memory loss, hygiene care, and disruptive behaviors, highlighting the need for targeted support.

Professional caregivers have better access to resources and technology, which could be beneficial if adapted for home-based caregivers, but any new technology must be designed with a focus on the human experience to effectively support both caregivers and those with dementia.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Stress in the Volunteer Caregiver: Human-Centric Technology Can Support Both Caregivers and People with Dementia. Huelat, B., Pochron, ST.[2021]

Citations

1.

frontiersin.org

frontiersin.org/journals/digital-health/articles/10.3389/fdgth.2025.1636084/pdf

based interventions for reducing caregiver burden and stress

Conclusion: Digital technology-based interventions demonstrate moderate effectiveness in reducing caregiver burden and stress in the short term.

2.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11311318/

Effectiveness of Internet-Based or Mobile App Interventions ...

This study evaluated the effectiveness of internet-based or mobile app interventions for family caregivers of older adults with dementia.

3.

formative.jmir.org

formative.jmir.org/2025/1/e75113/PDF

Professional Support Through a Tailor-Made Mobile App to ...

These analyses examined the associations of the outcome variables, caregiver stress and depressive symptoms, with participation in the ...

4.

sigmapubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com

sigmapubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/wvn.70021?af=R

The Impact of Digital Tool Use on Older Caregivers' Burden ...

Overall, digital tools may slightly improve caregiver burden and depression, and likely improve QoL slightly. 5.2 Agreement and Disagreement ...

5.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9623465/

Text Messages to Support Caregivers in a Health Care System

SMS text messaging improves patient engagement in treatment and outcomes [15,16] and adherence to treatment regimens and medications [17-20].

6.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10141983/

Outcomes of a Caregiver-Focused Short Message Service ...

Overall, most caregivers (55% to 58%) completed the assessment on the original text; however, there was a 19% to 40% improvement in completion ...

7.

withpower.com

withpower.com/trial/phase-dementia-3-2025-54ac6

Text Messages for Caregiver Burnout · Info for Participants

Research shows that using text messages in healthcare settings is generally safe, with no reports of harm from misreading, misinterpreting, or privacy issues.

8.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10201006/

Digital health interventions to support family caregivers

This article aims to provide an updated review of interventions using digital health tools to support family caregivers and the scope of the Human-Centered ...

9.

medrxiv.org

medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.09.16.25335909v1.full.pdf

a randomized con

This study will be the first to test the efficacy of a text message ADRD caregiver support intervention in any population and among Latinos in ...