Caregiver Training: Evidence of Its Effectiveness for Cognitive and Functional Improvement in Older Adults

Due to demographic changes that have resulted in an aging population, the role of caregiver of an older adult has become very important in recent years. While numerous programs have been designed to lighten the caregiver's physical and emotional burden, fewer programs train caregivers to improve skills and level of independence in the person they care for. The objectives of this research study were to assess the benefits of a caregiver training program on the cognitive and functional status of older adults, as well as to compare the effects of this program according to type of caregiver (professional caregiver vs. family caregiver). Methods: The sample was composed of 160 older adults: a) 100 received care from caregivers who had taken the training program (treatment group), of which 60 were professional caregivers and 40 were family caregivers; and b) 60 received care from caregivers who had not taken the program (control group). In order to evaluate program effects on cognitive and functional status, we used both direct measures (MMSE, CAPE and EuroQol) and caregiver reports (Barthel and RMPBC).

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Healthy Aging; Older Adults; Cognitive Decline; Functional Ability
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Cognitive Stimulation

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 160
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Spain
  • Granada, Spain, 18011
    • University of Granada
  • Granada, Spain, 18007
    • Centro Cívico Zaidín del Ayuntamiento de Granada
  • Granada, Spain, 18008
    • Centro Cívico Genil del Ayuntamiento de Granada
  • Granada
    • Atarfe, Granada, Spain, 18230
      • Centro Residencial de Mayores "Entreálamos"
    • Atarfe, Granada, Spain, 18230
      • Unidad de Estancia Diurna de Atarfe
    • Belicena, Granada, Spain, 18101
      • Residencia de mayores María Zayas
    • Churriana de la Vega, Granada, Spain, 18194
      • Centro Residencial Regina Mundi
    • Cúllar Vega, Granada, Spain, 18195
      • Centro Residencial Geriatric XXI
    • Ogíjares, Granada, Spain, 18151
      • Unidad de Estancia Diurna Ogíjares
    • Pulianas, Granada, Spain, 18197
      • Unidad de Estancia Diurna Dr. Alejandro Otero

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 65 years and older (Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Older adults: age 65 or older, receiving care, no diagnosis of dementia, and their informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

-

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Non-Randomized
• Interventional Model: Sequential Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Mini-Examen-Cognoscitivo (MEC), Spanish adaptation of the Mini-Mental-State-Examination (MMSE).	This screening instrument is widely used for detecting cognitive impairment. The final score ranges from 0 to 35 points and is often used as a global index and method for monitoring the evolution of cognitive functions in cognitive impairment and dementia. It has high internal consistency (α = 0.88), good test-retest reliability (0.64-1.00; p < 0.01) and good interjudge reliability (0.69-1.00; p < 0.01).	9 months
The Procedimiento de Evaluación Clifton para Ancianos - Cognitive Scale, a Spanish adaptation of the Clifton Assessment Procedure for the Elderly (CAPE).	In the present study, we used the cognitive assessment scale only, which includes one part on information and orientation and another part on mental ability. The final score ranges from 0 to 23 points and higher scores mean a better outcome. Its test-retest reliability falls between 0.79 and 0.90, and between 0.61 and 0.69, for the information and orientation scale and for the mental ability scale, respectively.	9 months
EuroQol	Generic measure of health-related quality of life. The individual rates his or her own state of health, first rating levels of severity by dimensions, and afterward a more general assessment using a 20-centimeter visual analog scale (VAS) that goes from 0 to 100. Scores range from 0 to 2 on each of the test scales, and higher scores mean a worse result.	9 months
Barthel Index	Evaluates the person's functional ability based on 10 items answered by the caregiver. Scores range from 0 to 100, with 0 being completely dependent and 100 completely independent. Its internal consistency presents an alpha coefficient between 0.86 and 0.92 and interjudge reliability between 0.84 and 0.97.	9 months
Revised Memory and Behavior Problem Checklist (RMBPC), in its Spanish version.	Evaluates problems in memory, behavior, and anxiety and depression. The caregiver indicates how often the person under her care has manifest each of the problems described during the past week (frequency scale) and the degree that this bothers or worries her (reaction scale). An alpha coefficient of 0.84 was found for the frequency scale, and 0.90 for the reaction scale.	9 months
Positive Aspects of Caregiving (PAC).	This 9-item instrument measures caregivers' satisfaction with providing care to the older adults. It consists of a 5-point Likert scale from 1 (disagree) to 5 (agree). Scores range from 9 to 45; higher scores indicate a more positive perception and gains from the caregiver experience. It presents good general reliability (Cronbach α = .89) and convergent validity (Cronbach α = .72).	9 months

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Universidad de Granada
• Investigators: Study Director: Elena Navarro, Universidad de Granada; Study Chair: Dolores Calero, Universidad de Granada; Principal Investigator: Miriam Sanjuán, Universidad de Granada

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): December 10, 2015
• Primary Completion (Actual): March 10, 2020
• Study Completion (Actual): March 10, 2020

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: July 23, 2020
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 27, 2020
• First Posted (Actual): July 28, 2020

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): July 28, 2020
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 27, 2020
• Last Verified: July 1, 2020

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Older adults; Cognitive stimulation; Family caregivers; Caregiver training program; Professional caregivers
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Mental Disorders; Neurocognitive Disorders; Cognition Disorders; Cognitive Dysfunction
• Other Study ID Numbers: 545/CEIH/2018

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No