Short-term Caregiver Psychotherapy

This study is to test the feasibility (pilot part) and efficacy (phase IIa part) of a specifically on the needs of caregivers of people with dementia composed new short-term psychotherapeutical intervention.

This prospective study will be offered to caregivers from the out patient clinic of the Department of Psychosomatic Medicine of the University Rostock Medical Center. In a first pilot study with 10 participants without control group, we tested the feasability and acceptance of the program (completed 2/2015). From 4/2015 a phase IIa study started with 10 participants in the intervention group and 10 in the control groups (will be organized by waiting list). The program consists of two modules of caregiver education followed by ten psychotherapeutic group modules. Duration of each module is planned to be 90 minutes including a relaxation exercise at the end of each module. Primary outcomes are the feasibility, acceptance and the effect on caregiver burden.

The program is designed for 10 participants and consists of two modules of caregiver education followed by ten psychotherapeutic group modules. The major overarching topics will be (i) caregiver´s emotional and physical limits, (ii) conscious and unconscious feelings and emotions towards the people with dementia and (iii) activation of caregivers´ social resources. Duration of each module is planned to be 90 minutes including a relaxation exercise at the end of each module.

Change in perceived self-efficacy directly and 3 month after psychotherapeutical intervention and reduction of symptoms of depression

SWE, a german self-efficacy self-rating scale, will be used for self-efficacy measurement AND ADS (German Version of the CES-D Scale) for measurement for symptoms of depression

Inclusion Criteria: caregiver of a person with dementia willing to participate in all 12 modules of the program Exclusion Criteria: current psychotherapy or antidepressive medication for less than 6 month major depression

Bedard M, Molloy DW, Squire L, Dubois S, Lever JA, O'Donnell M. The Zarit Burden Interview: a new short version and screening version. Gerontologist. 2001 Oct;41(5):652-7. doi: 10.1093/geront/41.5.652.

Schwarzer, R., & Jerusalem, M. (1995). Generalized Self-Efficacy scale. In J. Weinman, S. Wright, & M. Johnston, Measures in health psychology: A user's portfolio. Causal and control beliefs (pp. 35-37). Windsor, UK.

Weissman MM, Sholomskas D, Pottenger M, Prusoff BA, Locke BZ. Assessing depressive symptoms in five psychiatric populations: a validation study. Am J Epidemiol. 1977 Sep;106(3):203-14. doi: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a112455.