Caregiver Stress and Sleep Study (CARES)
Depressive Symptoms, Caregiver Burden
About this trial
This is an interventional basic science trial for Depressive Symptoms focused on measuring Depression, Caregiving, Late-Life, Morningness
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Age 60 years or older.
- Provide unpaid care to a co-residing patient with a dementia diagnosis.
- Reporting stress or strain delivering care
- No or stable pharmacotherapy for depression
- Meets screening definition for having morning activation difficulty or a definite morning types per the Composite Morningness Questionnaire (CMQ)
Exclusion Criteria:
- Unsafe or unable to undergo MRI
- Active Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for mood or insomnia
- Probable dementia diagnosis
- Deadly illness or plans to leave the study area
- Current active substance use disorder
Sites / Locations
- UPMC Western Behavioral HealthRecruiting
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
Active Comparator
Active condition (SAMM Protocol)
Attention-matched supportive control condition
The goal of the SAMM protocol is to increase morning activity engagement over a 6-week period. Participants in this condition will review their morning routine, and make a list of potential morning activities to add. They will choose one activity and develop a plan for doing it. Each day, participants are asked to track if they do the morning activity plan. If unsuccessful, at weekly follow-ups, participants are asked to refine their plan or make a new one.
Participants in this condition will receive sessions in the same number and duration as the SAMM experimental condition. Therapists will create a comfortable environment by demonstrating interest, empathy, and acceptance without judgment. Caregivers will be encouraged to talk about stressors they experience, providing an opportunity to voice and self-address their problems. In this control condition, therapists will not deliver any particular strategy except for active listening and referring to the educational materials.