A three-country randomized controlled trial of a psychosocial intervention for caregivers combined with pharmacological treatment for patients with alzheimer's disease: Effects on caregiver depression

Citation Mittelman, M., Brodaty, H., Wallen, A. S., & Burns, A. (2008). A three-country randomized controlled trial of a psychosocial intervention for caregivers combined with pharmacological treatment for patients with alzheimer's disease: Effects on caregiver depression. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 16(11), 893-904.

Design Experiment

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a combination of cholinesterase inhibitor therapy for patients with Alzheimer's disease and psychosocial intervention, for their spouse caregivers compared with drug treatment alone in three countries simultaneously (US, UK and Australia).

Participants The participants of this study were N=158 spouse caregivers of community dwelling patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Outcome / Dependent Variables The dependent variable was Caregiver depression, measured on on the Beck Depression Inventory (revised).

Procedure Five sessions of individual and family counseling within 3 months of enrollment and continuous availability of ad hoc telephone counseling were provided for the participants in the treatment condition. Depressive symptoms of caregivers were measured at intake and follow up assessments for 24 months. Donepezil was prescribed for all patients.

Outcomes Depression scores of caregivers who received the intervention decreased over time, whereas the depression scores for caregivers who did not receive counseling increased.

Author Mittelman, M., Brodaty, H., Wallen, A. S., & Burns, A.