Efficacy of a psychoeducative group program for caregivers of demented persons living at home: A randomized controlled trial

Objectives. To test the efficacy of a psychoeducative group program for informal caregivers of persons with dementia. Methods. The study was a multicenter randomized controlled trial. Randomization was stratified according to sex and kinship. Participants randomized to the control group were referred to the traditional support groups. Participants in the study group had fifteen 2-hr weekly sessions focusing on stress appraisal and coping. Eligible participants (primary caregivers of community-dwelling persons with dementia) were blindly assessed before the randomization and after 16 weeks on the following measures: frequency and reactions to behavioral problems (primary outcome), burden, psychological distress, anxiety, perceived social support, and personal efficacy. Results. A total of 158 participants were randomized to the study (n = 79) and control (n = 79) groups in 12 successive waves. Results show that study participants presented a 14% decrease in their reactions to the behavioral problems of the care-receivers as opposed to a 5% decrease in the control group (p = .04). The frequency of behavior problems also decreased (p = .06), as did the cross-product frequency/reaction (p = .02). There was no significant effect on the secondary outcome variables. Discussion. This is one of the first studies showing a significant effect of this type of support group program on the caregivers of participants with dementia.