Effectiveness of an online social support intervention for caregivers of people with dementia: the study protocol of a randomised controlled trial
Effectiveness of an online social support intervention for caregivers of people with dementia: the study protocol of a randomised controlled trial
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DOI：
10.1186/s13063-017-2097-y
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发表时间：
2017-08-29
期刊：
影响因子：
2.5
通讯作者：
Verhey, Frans R. J.
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Dam, Alieske E. H.;de Vugt, Marjolein E.;Verhey, Frans R. J.
背景：痴呆症患者(PWD)的照顾者面临负担、孤独感和社会孤立。此前的研究表明，在线电子健康干预的效果令人振奋。使用社交媒体可能有助于对痴呆症照顾者网络的支持。在迭代循序渐进的方法中，开发了一个题为“inLife”的社会支持工具。本文描述了一项评估InLife的效果及其过程特征的研究设计。方法：将对122名PWD照顾者进行混合方法的随机对照试验。参与者将被分配到InLife社会支持干预组或等待名单控制组。16周后，对照组将进入InLife环境。在基线(T-0)、8周(T-1)、16周(T-2)和42周(T-3)收集数据。为期16周的跟踪评估(T2)是通过自我报告的问卷来评估主要和次要结果结果的主要终点。主要结果包括对照顾者能力的感觉和感受到的社会支持。次要结果包括获得支持、孤独感、心理抱怨(如焦虑、压力)和生活质量。过程评估，包括半结构式访谈，将检验干预的内部和外部效度。讨论：使用混合方法设计，我们的研究将提供有价值的洞察力的可用性，有效性，以及与实施生活干预相关的因素。我们的研究结果将表明，在未来的常规痴呆症护理中，In Life是否可以成为一个有价值的社会支持资源。
Background: Caregivers of people with dementia (PwD) face burden, feelings of loneliness, and social isolation. Previous studies have shown promising effects of online e-health interventions. Using social media may facilitate support for dementia caregiver networks. In an iterative step-wise approach, a social support tool entitled "Inlife" was developed. This paper describes the design of a study evaluating the effects of Inlife and its process characteristics.Methods: A mixed-method, randomised controlled trial with 122 caregivers of PwD will be conducted. Participants will be assigned to either the Inlife social support intervention or a waiting-list control group. After 16 weeks, the control group will obtain access to the Inlife environment. Data will be collected at baseline (T-0) and at 8-week (T-1), 16-week (T-2) and 42-week follow up (T-3). The 16-week follow-up assessment (T2) is the primary endpoint to evaluate the results on the primary and secondary outcomes, measured by self-reported questionnaires. The primary outcomes include feelings of caregiver competence and perceived social support. The secondary outcomes include received support, feelings of loneliness, psychological complaints (e.g., anxiety, stress), and quality of life. A process evaluation, including semi-structured interviews, will be conducted to examine the internal and external validity of the intervention.Discussion: Using a mixed-method design, our study will provide valuable insights into the usability, effectiveness, and factors related to implementation of the Inlife intervention. Our study results will indicate whether Inlife could be a valuable social support resource in future routine dementia care.