Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Informal Caregivers: Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial

Ieva Biliunaite, Evaldas Kazlauskas, Robbert Sanderman, Inga Truskauskaite-Kuneviciene, Austeja Dumarkaite, Gerhard Andersson, Ieva Biliunaite, Evaldas Kazlauskas, Robbert Sanderman, Inga Truskauskaite-Kuneviciene, Austeja Dumarkaite, Gerhard Andersson

Abstract

Background: Caregiving for a family member can result in reduced well-being for the caregiver. Internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) may be one way to support this population. This is especially the case for caregivers in countries with limited resources, but high demand for psychological services.

Objective: In this study we evaluated the effects of a therapist-guided 8-week-long ICBT intervention for informal caregivers.

Methods: In total, 63 participants were recruited online and randomized either to the intervention or to the wait-list control group. The main study outcome was the Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI). Secondary outcomes included measures of caregiver depression, anxiety, stress, and quality of life.

Results: Moderate between-group effect sizes were observed for the CBI measure, in favor of the intervention group, with a Cohen d=-0.70 for the intention-to-treat analysis. Analyses of the subscales of the CBI showed significant reductions on the subscales of Development and Physical Health. Moderate reductions were found for depression and anxiety scores as indicated by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scores. Large between-group effects were observed for reduction in stress and increase in quality of life as indicated by the Perceived Stress Scale-14 (PSS-14), The Brunnsviken Brief Quality of Life Scale (BBQ), and The World Health Organization-Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5). In addition, participants experienced little to no difficulty in using the program and were mostly satisfied with the intervention's platform and the choice of content.

Conclusions: This is the first internet intervention study for informal caregivers in Lithuania. The results suggest that therapist-guided ICBT can be effective in reducing caregiver burden, anxiety, depression, stress, and improving quality of life.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04052724; https://ichgcp.net/clinical-trials-registry/NCT04052724.

Keywords: caregiver burden; cognitive behavioral therapy; eHealth; informal caregivers; internet intervention; mHealth.

Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: None declared.

©Ieva Biliunaite, Evaldas Kazlauskas, Robbert Sanderman, Inga Truskauskaite-Kuneviciene, Austeja Dumarkaite, Gerhard Andersson. Originally published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research (http://www.jmir.org), 07.04.2021.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flowchart of the participant recruitment to the randomized controlled pilot trial.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Screenshot of the eight intervention modules as presented to participants after logging in.

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