65 Participants NeededMy employer runs this trial

Structured Retrieval Practice for Caregiver Stress

RA
UT
Overseen ByUma Tauber, Ph.D
Age: 18+
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: Virginia Wesleyan University
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to help family caregivers of people with dementia manage stress by testing two educational methods. One method uses traditional reading materials, while the other, called structured retrieval practice (SRP), employs active recall and feedback to enhance learning. Caregivers will learn strategies for handling dementia-related behaviors and self-care. Researchers will assess their knowledge, confidence, and stress levels over time. The trial seeks informal caregivers who feel moderately to highly stressed and support a loved one with dementia. As an unphased trial, it offers caregivers a unique opportunity to learn effective stress management techniques while contributing to valuable research.

What prior data suggests that structured retrieval practice is safe for caregivers?

Research has shown that structured retrieval practice (SRP) safely and effectively helps caregivers manage stress. Studies have found that SRP reduces stress levels reported by caregivers and boosts their confidence in caregiving skills compared to traditional methods like reading. This is crucial because caregivers often experience high stress, affecting their health and caregiving abilities.

No reports of negative side effects have emerged from using SRP. This method enhances learning through repeated practice and feedback, providing a safe and supportive environment for caregivers. Essentially, SRP improves learning, leading to better stress management without any known risks.12345

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores innovative ways to reduce caregiver stress, particularly for those caring for individuals with dementia. Unlike traditional methods that rely on reading-based education, this study examines structured retrieval practice (SRP), a technique that enhances learning through repeated recall and corrective feedback. This method could offer caregivers more effective tools for managing dementia-related challenges and improving their own well-being. By focusing on active engagement and memory reinforcement, SRP has the potential to provide more lasting benefits than standard educational approaches.

What evidence suggests that this trial's educational interventions could be effective for caregiver stress?

Studies have shown that structured retrieval practice (SRP) benefits caregivers of people with dementia. Research indicates that SRP can reduce caregiver stress and enhance confidence in caregiving skills. In this trial, participants in the SRP arm will receive caregiver education through this method, which involves actively recalling information over time with feedback. This process helps caregivers remember useful strategies and feel more confident. Meanwhile, participants in the Reading-Based Education Control arm will receive similar educational content through traditional reading materials. This approach aids caregivers in managing dementia-related behaviors and supports their well-being.13678

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

Inclusion Criteria

Providing ongoing assistance or support to the individual with dementia
Reports moderate to high perceived stress, defined as a score of 14 or higher on the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10)
Able to complete study procedures either in person or remotely
See 5 more

Exclusion Criteria

Paid or professional caregivers (e.g., home health aides)
Caregivers reporting low perceived stress (PSS-10 score below 14)
Caregivers providing assistance to an individual without evidence of cognitive impairment, as determined by a dementia screening interview (AD8 score < 2)
See 3 more

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants receive caregiver education using either structured retrieval practice or traditional reading-based materials

2 weeks
Remote or in-person sessions based on participant preference

Follow-up

Participants are assessed on knowledge retention, self-efficacy, perceived stress, and dementia-related behavioral symptoms

2 months
Assessments at 2 days, 2 weeks, and 2 months post-intervention

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

  • Reading-Based Education
  • Structured Retrieval Practice

How Is the Trial Designed?

2

Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Group I: Structured Retrieval Practice (SRP)Experimental Treatment1 Intervention
Group II: Reading-Based Education ControlActive Control1 Intervention

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Virginia Wesleyan University

Lead Sponsor

Texas Christian University

Collaborator

Trials
31
Recruited
4,400+

Citations

Comparing Structured Retrieval Practice and Reading ...

Primary outcomes include caregiver knowledge retention, caregiving self-efficacy, perceived stress, and caregiver-reported severity of dementia- ...

Brooke Drenowatz, Morgan D. Shumaker & Uma Tauber ...

intervention using structured retrieval practice. (SRP) reduces self-reported caregiver stress and increases self-efficacy compared to a reading- only ...

Social support interventions for caregivers of older adults with ...

This review underscores the variety of interventions designed to enhance social support for caregivers of older adults with dementia.

Comparing Structured Retrieval Practice and Reading- ...

The structured retrieval practice intervention is an educational learning approach designed to support durable knowledge retention through repeated active ...

A mindfulness‐based multicomponent caregiver intervention ...

This study introduces the first mindfulness-based intervention for veteran caregivers, designed to enhance cognitive flexibility, cultivate compassion, and ...

Exploring the Relationship between the Caregiver's Stress ...

The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between caregivers' stress loads and dementia patient behavior.

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dev-multi-sponsor-trials.xogene.com

dev-multi-sponsor-trials.xogene.com/trials/7413406

Comparing Structured Retrieval Practice and Reading-Based ...

This study will evaluate a learning-based educational intervention called structured retrieval practice (SRP), which is designed to improve long-term learning ...

Online interventions for dementia caregiver burden and ...

The consequences of caregiver burden include negative outcomes, such as reduced capacity for care provision, diminished quality of life, and deterioration in ...