Effectiveness of Powerful Tools for Caregivers on Caregiver Burden and on Care Recipient Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a psychoeducational intervention, Powerful Tools for Caregivers (PTC), for family caregivers of individuals with dementia.

Design: A pragmatic, 2-arm randomized controlled trial compared the PTC intervention, as delivered in practice, to usual care. Participants randomized to usual care functioned as a control group and then received the PTC intervention.

Intervention: PTC is a 6-week manualized program that includes weekly 2-hour classes in a group setting facilitated by 2 trained and certified leaders. The educational program helps caregivers to enhance self-care practices and manage emotional distress.

Setting and participants: Two stakeholder organizations delivered the intervention in community settings. Participants were family caregivers of individuals with dementia recruited from the community in Florida.

Methods: Primary outcomes were caregiver burden and behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia of the care recipient. Secondary outcomes included caregiver depressive symptoms, self-efficacy, self-rated health, and life satisfaction. Measures were collected at baseline (n = 60 participants), postintervention (n = 55), and at 6-week follow-up (n = 44).

Results: Intent-to-treat analyses found PTC reduced caregiver burden (d = -0.48) and depressive symptoms (d = -0.53), and increased self-confidence (d = 0.68), but found no significant benefit for behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia in care recipients. PTC was rated highly by participants and program attrition was low, with 94% of caregivers completing at least 4 of the 6 classes.

Conclusions and implications: Although no significant effects were found for behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, this trial supports the effectiveness of PTC to improve caregiver outcomes as delivered in the community.

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease; Caregiver; behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia; burden; dementia; depressive symptoms.