Virtual Peer Support for Caregiver Burden

(Family Cares Trial)

Not yet recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Jillian Kifell, MSc

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Lady Davis Institute

Disqualifiers: Another family member, Language barrier

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine if virtual peer support groups and skills training can assist family caregivers of ICU survivors. The researchers will assess whether these support methods are practical and beneficial for caregivers. Participants will either join virtual peer groups (part of the Caregiver Support Intervention), receive skills training, or receive a list of resources. This study may suit family caregivers of individuals who spent more than two days in an ICU and are within six months of hospital discharge. As an unphased trial, it offers caregivers a unique opportunity to explore new support methods that could enhance their caregiving experience.

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 seems focused on virtual support and skills training, so it's unlikely that medication changes are required.

What prior data suggests that these interventions are safe for caregivers?

Research has shown that caregiver support programs, like those in this study, are generally easy for people to handle. Programs designed to lessen the load on caregivers have proven effective and are now often available through new technology. These programs help reduce stress without causing major problems.

Studies have also found that online support groups for caregivers yield positive results. They are linked to better mental health and increased confidence for family caregivers. These groups provide important support with few reported issues.

Overall, past research considers both the caregiver support programs and online support groups in this study safe. They aim to help caregivers manage stress and offer emotional support, with no major safety concerns reported. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Virtual Peer Support for Caregiver Burden trial because it offers a fresh, personalized way to support caregivers. Unlike traditional support methods that might involve professional counseling or structured programs, this approach allows caregivers to choose between a virtual peer support group or a caregiver support intervention. This choice-based, person-centered strategy provides flexibility and acknowledges that caregivers know best what type of support they need. The innovative use of virtual technology also makes this support more accessible, potentially reaching caregivers who might be isolated or unable to attend in-person sessions.

What evidence suggests that this trial's interventions could be effective for reducing caregiver burden?

Research has shown that online support groups can help caregivers feel less stressed and lonely. In this trial, participants in the intervention group can choose between a 'Virtual Peer Support Group' or a 'Caregiver Support' strategy. Studies have found that these groups can moderately reduce caregivers' stress and burden in the short term. Similarly, support programs for caregivers help lower feelings of burnout. Digital tools play a crucial role in the effectiveness of these programs. Both methods provide significant relief and support to those caring for ICU survivors. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Michael J Goldfarb, MD, MSc

Principal Investigator

Lady Davis Institute, McGill University, Jewish General Hospital

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for family caregivers of ICU survivors. Participants should be providing ongoing support after the patient's hospital discharge and willing to engage in virtual sessions or complete surveys. Specific eligibility criteria are not provided, so it's assumed that any caregiver meeting these conditions can participate.

Inclusion Criteria

I was discharged from the ICU less than 6 months ago.

Family member of a person admitted to an ICU for more than 48 hours and survived to hospital discharge. 'Family' is anyone with a biological, legal, or emotional relationship with the patient and whom the patient wants involved in their care

I am or will be a caregiver for someone who survived an ICU stay.

Exclusion Criteria

I cannot communicate in English or French.

Another family member participating in the study

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants engage in virtual peer support groups or strengths-based skills training sessions

3 months

Virtual sessions

Follow-up

Participants complete surveys and follow-up questionnaires to measure outcomes

6 months

Online or phone follow-ups

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Caregiver Support Intervention
• Virtual Peer Support Group Intervention

Trial Overview The study tests if virtual peer support groups and strengths-based skills training can benefit caregivers of ICU survivors. It will compare outcomes between those receiving the interventions and a control group with no intervention, focusing on feasibility and acceptability.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Intervention Group Experimental Treatment 3 Interventions

Participants assigned to the intervention group will be permitted to choose which strategy they wish to participate in. This innovative person-centered approach will ensure that family caregivers get the type of support that they want and are not arbitrarily assigned to a strategy that they are not motivated to pursue, resulting in a pragmatic, real-world approach to choice of strategy. Participants will have the choice of two strategies: 'Virtual peer support group' or 'Caregiver Support'.

Group II: Control Group: Resources only Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants will be given a list of resources for emotional or psychological distress.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Lady Davis Institute

Lead Sponsor

Trials

50

Recruited

6,600+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11036232/

Interventions Effective in Decreasing Burden in Caregivers ... There are interventions to reduce caregiver burnout and, increasingly, they are provided through new technological tools. Thirty-six percent (36 ...

2. 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.

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7302999/

Effectiveness of Powerful Tools for Caregivers on ... Based on previous evidence, we hypothesized that compared to usual care, caregivers participating in PTC would experience decreased burden and similar ...

4. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666142X23000255

The effects of self-guided interventions on stress, burden ... Self-guided interventions have potential benefits in reducing stress of unpaid caregivers of people living with dementia, but there are conflicting results.

5. systematicreviewsjournal.biomedcentral.com systematicreviewsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13643-024-02641-x

Effectiveness of interventions for informal caregivers of people ... Psychosocial interventions resulted in more significant improvements in psychosocial outcomes than psychoeducational or support interventions, ...

6. cdc.gov cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/wr/mm7334a2.htm

Changes in Health Indicators Among Caregivers This report compares changes in the prevalence of 19 health indicators among caregivers and noncaregivers from 2015–2016 to 2021–2022.

7. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0197457225003568

Impact of a community-based educational intervention on ... The “Caring for the Caregiver” program reduced caregiver burden and improved social support but did not significantly affect physical and mental health outcomes ...

8. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT01188070

NCT01188070 | Caregiver Stress: Interventions to Promote ... The combined de-identified data set will allow for elucidating the biological mechanisms of stress-induced cardiovascular risk, further developing the model, ...

9. pxjournal.org pxjournal.org/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1796&context=journal

Caregiver burden: Support needed for those who ... Abstract. This literature review focuses on the complexities and inequalities of informal caregiving in the UK and was inspired by.