Helping carers to care—the 10/66 dementia research group's randomized control trial of a caregiver intervention in Russia

SI Gavrilova, CP Ferri, N Mikhaylova…�- …�Journal of Geriatric�…, 2009 - Wiley Online Library
SI Gavrilova, CP Ferri, N Mikhaylova, O Sokolova, S Banerjee, M Prince
International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry: A journal of the�…, 2009Wiley Online Library
Objectives Dementia is a rapidly growing public health problem in low and middle income
countries. There is an urgent need, in the absence of formal services, to develop
interventions designed to improve the lives of people with dementia, and their families. This
study tests the effectiveness of the 10/66 caregiver intervention among people with
dementia, and their carers. Design A single blind parallel group randomized controlled trial
(ISRCTN41039907). Setting Moscow. Participants Sixty family caregivers of people aged 65�…
Objectives
Dementia is a rapidly growing public health problem in low and middle income countries. There is an urgent need, in the absence of formal services, to develop interventions designed to improve the lives of people with dementia, and their families. This study tests the effectiveness of the 10/66 caregiver intervention among people with dementia, and their carers.
Design
A single blind parallel group randomized controlled trial (ISRCTN41039907).
Setting
Moscow.
Participants
Sixty family caregivers of people aged 65 and over with dementia were randomized to receive the intervention and medical care as usual (n = 30) or medical care as usual only (n = 30). Caregiver and person with dementia outcomes were assessed at baseline and after 6 months.
Intervention
The caregiver education and training intervention was delivered over five, weekly, half‐hour sessions and was made up of three modules: (i) assessment (one session); (ii) basic education about dementia (two sessions); and (iii) training regarding specific problem behaviors (two sessions).
Measurements
Dementia was diagnosed using DSM‐IV criteria. Caregiver: Zarit Carer Burden Interview; carer psychological distress (SRQ 20); and carer Quality of Life (WHOQOL‐BREF). Person with dementia: Behavioural and Psychological symptoms (NPI‐Q); quality of life (DEMQOL).
Results
Caregivers in the intervention group reported large and statistically significant net improvements at 6‐month follow‐up in burden compared to controls. No group differences were found on caregiver psychological distress and patient and caregiver quality of life.
Conclusions
The low‐level intervention seems to be as, if not more, effective than similar interventions applied in high income countries. Copyright � 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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