Befriending carers of people with dementia: Randomised controlled trial

Citation Charlesworth, G., Shepstone, L., Wilson, E., Reynolds, S., Mugford, M., Price, D., Harvey, I., & Poland, F. (2008). Befriending carers of people with dementia: Randomized controlled trial. BMJ, 336, 1295-1297.

Design Randomized controlled trial

Purpose The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a voluntary sector based befriending scheme in improving psychological well being and quality of life for family carers of people with dementia.

Participants The participants of this study were N=236 family caregivers of persons with dementia.

Outcome / Dependent Variables The outcome variables of this study were carer's mood and health related quality of life.

Procedure All participants continued to receive "usual care." The treatment group also received "access to a befriender facilitator."

Outcomes Analysis of the data showed no benefit from the intervention on any of the primary or secondary outcome variables.

Author Charlesworth, G., Shepstone, L., Wilson, E., Reynolds, S., Mugford, M., Price, D., Harvey, I., & Poland, F.