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Behavioral Intervention

Psychoeducational Skills Training for Early-Stage Alzheimer's Disease

N/A

Recruiting

Led By David W. Coon, PhD

Research Sponsored by Arizona State University

Eligibility Criteria Checklist

Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial

Must have

EPs must have a confirmed diagnosis of OR symptoms consistent with early-stage dementia

All participants - Care Partners (CP) and Early-Stage People (EP) - will be at least 18 years of age and speak, read, and write English or Spanish

Timeline

Screening 3 weeks

Treatment Varies

Follow Up t1 - t2 assessments (baseline to 3 months)

Awards & highlights

Study Summary

This trial is designed to help people with early-stage memory loss and their care partners. It provides education and skill-training to reduce stress, enhance well-being, manage challenges, and plan for the future. Feedback from participants will be used to improve the program.

Who is the study for?

This trial is for pairs of individuals where one person has early-stage memory loss and the other is their primary, unpaid caregiver. Both must be adults who speak English or Spanish. The person with memory loss should have a diagnosis or symptoms of early dementia and not live in an institution. Caregivers need to be closely involved with them.Check my eligibility

What is being tested?

The EPIC II project tests a virtual psychoeducational skills training program for people with early-stage memory issues and their caregivers. It aims to reduce stress, improve well-being, manage challenges, and plan ahead through Zoom sessions.See study design

What are the potential side effects?

Since this intervention involves educational and skill-training sessions rather than medication, traditional side effects are not expected; however, participants may experience emotional discomfort discussing sensitive topics.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below

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I have been diagnosed with or show symptoms of early-stage dementia.

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I am over 18 and can communicate in English or Spanish.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~ t1 - t2 assessments (baseline to 3 months)

Screening ~ 3 weeks

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~t1 - t2 assessments (baseline to 3 months)

This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and t1 - t2 assessments (baseline to 3 months) for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Outcome measures can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.

Primary outcome measures

EP Quality of Life

EP and CP Emotional well-being

Secondary outcome measures

Communication Skills and Support within the Dyad

EP and CP Care preparedness

Knowledge and Use of Services for People with Dementia and their Care Partners

Other outcome measures

Initial incremental cost effectiveness of EPIC compared with Wait List Comparison condition

Trial Design

2Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Group I: EPIC AExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Group A will start the EPIC intervention immediately after assessment 1. The EPIC program consists of a 7-session, psychoeducational skills training intervention, held via Zoom, designed to provide education and skills on how to prepare for the future and reduce stress regarding memory changes and loss for both the person with early-stage dementia and their care partner. Following the 7 EPIC sessions, participants will attend monthly booster sessions, held via Zoom, to reinforce the skills/lessons. Participants may voluntarily choose to continue attending booster sessions through 2024.

Group II: EPIC B (WLC)Active Control1 Intervention

Group B - the wait list comparison (WLC) group - will have a 75-minute group education session (comparator intervention), held via Zoom, about 3 weeks after baseline assessment. The WLC session is an overview of memory loss/dementia and its related impact for EPs and CPs and an overview of aging network services in the community. They will receive a brief telephone check-in call approximately 3 weeks before the T2 assessment. The WLC group will start the complete EPIC psychoeducational skills training intervention, held via Zoom, immediately after Assessment 2. Following completion of the 7 EPIC sessions, participants will attend monthly booster sessions, held via Zoom, to reinforce the skills/lessons. Participants may voluntarily choose to continue attending booster sessions through 2024.

0 / 2Eligibility criteria met