A Pilot Study of a Combined Face-to-Face and Online Program to Help Family Caregivers Manage Emotions When Caring for People With Dementia

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the Caregivers Of dementia Processing Emotions COPE programme, a dual-modal intervention combining face-to-face and online sessions for informal caregivers of people living with dementia. The study focuses on reducing caregivers expressed emotion, depressive symptoms, maladaptive social dynamics, and perceived stress resulting from the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia BPSD. Participants are randomly assigned to either the COPE group or a control group receiving standard therapy. The COPE programme lasts six weeks and includes one face-to-face workshop and five online group sessions using Zoom, integrating cognitive behavioral therapy, emotional-focused mindfulness, and social skills training. The control group receives one face-to-face session followed by five weekly online educational sessions on dementia caregiving. Caregivers complete assessments before starting the intervention, after six weeks of treatment, and at a three-month follow-up. These evaluations include surveys of family attitudes, depression symptoms, dyadic relationships, interaction quality, and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Data collection occurs either face-to-face or online. The study monitors outcomes over 20 weeks to assess changes in caregivers emotional and psychological well-being.

Integrative Therapeutic Programme to Regulate Expressed Emotions Among Informal Caregivers of People With Dementia