Efficacy of a support group programme for caregivers of demented patients in the community: A randomized controlled trial.

Measured the efficacy of a support group program for care-givers (GCs) of demented patients in the community. 23 primary CGs were assigned to a study group, and 18 CGs were assigned to a control group. Study group Ss attended weekly sessions that provided information on the disease, role-playing on management of behavior problems, discussion on emotional impact of caregiving, and learning of stress management techniques. Control Ss attended informal monthly meetings of the Alzheimer's Society. All Ss were evaluated upon entry, after 8 wks, and after 8 mo. Outcome variables were the Burden Interview, the Revised Memory and Behavior Problems Checklist, the Brief Symptoms Inventory, the Alzheimer's Disease Knowledge Test, and a health care utilization questionnaire. Compared with the controls, study group Ss yielded only a significant increase in knowledge about the disease but no significant difference on the other outcome variables. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)