Feasibility of a multidimensional interdisciplinary rehabilitation program for people with dementia and their informal primary caregivers - a randomized pilot trial with a caregiver focus.
Mia Conradsson, Birgitta Olofsson, Henrik Holmberg et al.
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In 30 seconds
This randomized pilot trial assessed the feasibility of a person-centred, interdisciplinary rehabilitation program for community-dwelling people with dementia that also provided education and support to informal caregivers. Caregivers were randomized with the person with dementia to the program (n=36) or usual care (n=31), with assessments extending to 36 months. All intervention caregivers received individual support, and 23 attended group sessions. Among 21 survey respondents, 20 (95%) reported increased knowledge and 19 (90%) improved coping strategies. The groups did not differ significantly in depressive symptoms or caregiver burden; some quality-of-life subscales favoured usual care at 24 and 36 months.
Key findings
- All 36 intervention caregivers received individual support from team staff; 23 attended group sessions.
- Of 21 caregivers completing the post-session survey, 20 (95%) reported increased knowledge and 19 (90%) improved coping strategies.
- No significant between-group differences were observed in caregiver depressive symptoms or burden.
- Health-related quality-of-life subscales favoured the control group at 24 and 36 months.
Why it matters
The trial suggests that caregiver participation and long-term outcome assessment are feasible within a rehabilitation program for people with dementia. However, reported gains in knowledge and coping were based on a post-session survey, while measured caregiver burden and depressive symptoms did not differ significantly between groups. These findings help define what a larger evaluation should assess before the program’s effects on caregivers can be established.
What to keep in mind
This was a pilot trial with small groups. Survey findings came from 21 caregivers, and missing outcome data were primarily due to mortality; caregiver-burden assessment completion at 36 months was 69% in the intervention group and 61% in the control group.