Alzheimer DementiaNCT04058886
Telephone-delivered Mindfulness Intervention for African American Dementia Caregivers
A study testing Telephone-delivered Mindfulness in people with Alzheimer Dementia and Caregiver, run by University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
This study is assesses the feasibility and acceptability of telephone-delivered mindfulness training designed to alleviate caregiver burden for African-American rural caregivers of individuals with moderate to severe dementia, as defined by the caregiver. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Alzheimer Dementia, Caregiver, Dementia Alzheimers
- What is being tested?
- Telephone-delivered Mindfulness
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 57 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 15 Nov 2019to 6 Jul 2022
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- The candidate is at least 18 years old;
- The candidate self-identifies as Black or African American;
- The candidate provides at least 4 hours of care per day to the care recipient, who must have either a diagnosis of dementia OR have a score of at least 2 or higher on the Alzheimer's Disease Screening tool (AD-8) or a score of 8 or higher on the Functional Assessment Staging of Alzheimer's disease (FAST) scale (indicative of moderate - severe dementia);
- The candidate is able to identify and recruit an additional informal caregiver (care partner) to participate in the study. The care partner must consider themselves as part of the caregiving team that helps to make decisions about the care of the care recipient. The care partner may be a blood relative or close friend, but not a formal caregiver. The care partner need not live in the same geographic area.
- Both the candidate primary caregiver and care partner must have access to a telephone and express a willingness to participate in the pre- and post-participation assessments, the intervention calls, and the intervention retreat.
Who cannot join
- The candidate is too unwell to participate; e.g., with an active diagnosis of cancer or more than 3 hospitalizations in the past year;
- The primary caregiver is unable to identify and recruit a care partner willing to commit to the study requirements;
- The care recipient does not meet the criteria for dementia.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United States1 site
UNC Program on Integrative Medicine
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599-7200
About this study
Official title: Easing the Burden of Dementia Caregiving: A Telephone-delivered Mindfulness Intervention for Rural, African American Families
This study is assesses the feasibility and acceptability of telephone-delivered mindfulness training designed to alleviate caregiver burden for African-American rural caregivers of individuals with moderate to severe dementia, as defined by the caregiver. The study utilizes a single-group, uncontrolled design to test the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention for the target population.
Read the detailed description
Mindfulness interventions can decrease caregiver burden and improve coping skills, including decreased emotion-based coping, increased tolerance for uncertainty, improved psychological well-being and quality of life while potentially improving relationship quality and communication.
This study utilizes a single-group, uncontrolled design to assess the feasibility and acceptability of telephone-delivered mindfulness training designed to alleviate caregiver burden for African-American rural caregivers of individuals with moderate to severe dementia, as defined by the caregiver. The telephone-delivered mindfulness intervention will improve geographical access for rural caregivers and deem more flexible for a caregiver's schedule. The study's intervention consists of mindfulness training delivered by telephone once weekly for 8 weeks. The intervention also includes one retreat for which respite care will be provided, if needed. The intervention, based on, Kabat-Zinn's mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), will emphasize the following: 1) mindful experiencing, including mindfulness of feelings and body sensations; 2) mindful communication, including non-verbal mindfulness, mindful listening, and mindful speaking; and 3) mindful compassion for self and others.
- Conditions
- Alzheimer Dementia, Caregiver, Dementia Alzheimers
- Being tested
- Telephone-delivered Mindfulness
- Medical subject headings
- Alzheimer Disease
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Telephone-delivered MindfulnessBehavioural
The telephone-delivered mindfulness training intervention that will incorporate the following elements: 1) training for primary caregivers (CG) and their caregiving partner (CP) in a telephone-based mindfulness training intervention; 2) groups of up to eight participants (four CG-CP pairs) plus an instructor, on a shared telephone line; and 3) training in a 8-week, modified MBSR program, which places additional emphasis on training in the following: a) mindful experiencing, including mindfulness of feelings and body sensations; b) mindful communication, including non-verbal mindfulness, mindful listening, and mindful speaking; and c) mindful compassion for self and others. Additionally, homework assignments will involve listening to exercises on a dial-in telephone line; and assignments for CG-CP dyads (e.g. mindful listening and communication practices) as well as CG mindfulness practices in the presence of care recipients (e.g. mindful eating, and mindful listening).
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Telephone-delivered Mindfulness | Experimental | Participating caregivers and care partners will receive mindfulness training in 8 weekly telephone sessions plus one retreat. Respite care for the care recipient is provided for the retreat. Receives: Behavioral: Telephone-delivered Mindfulness |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Number of Participants Attending at Least 6 Telephone Sessions
The instructor will conduct a role call to take attendance at the beginning of each of the 8 class sessions and 1 retreat session. Eighty-five percent of participants who start the intervention will complete at least 6 out of 9 intervention sessions. Attendance used as a proxy to assess intervention acceptability.
Measured: 8 weeks
Percent of Dyads Who Endorse the Program
The intervention will be acceptable to informal caregiving teams as evidenced by an 85 percent (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 72.5, 97.5) endorsement of the program in post-participation interviews. Calculated based on responses to open-ended questions regarding participants' experiences of the intervention. Examples of questions are: "how valuable or beneficial was the mindfulness training to you?" and "what challenges did you have with the training?" and "what did you expect from the training that you did not get?". Endorsement was considered positive if the expressions of value outweighed challenges (i.e., positive comments outweighed negative comments by dyad). Data reported as caregiving teams (dyads) in accordance with the protocol.
Measured: 8 weeks
Secondary outcomes (28)
Change From Baseline in the Zarit Burden Interview Short Form (ZBI-12) Score
The ZBI-12 is a 12-item (SF) version of the original 29-item questionnaire measures role strain and personal strain. Items are measured on a 5-point Likert scale (0=never to 4=nearly always). Scores range from 0-48 with lower scores representing less burden. Within group change scores are reported based on paired t-tests. Total change scores are reported from mixed effects models controlling for caregiving role, severity of dementia in the care recipient, and dependencies in the data (individuals within families within cohorts).
Measured: Baseline, 8 weeks
Change From Baseline in the Family Satisfaction Scale (FSS) Score
The FSS is a 10-item scale which uses a 5-point Likert scale (1=very dissatisfied to 5=extremely satisfied). Total scores range from 10-50 with higher scores representing more endorsement of family satisfaction. The FSS was administered at Baseline and Week 8. Within-group change scores are reported based on paired t-tests. Total change scores are reported from mixed effects models controlling for caregiving role, severity of dementia in the care recipient, and dependencies in the data (individuals within families within cohorts).
Measured: up to 8 weeks
Change From Baseline in Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUS-12) Prospective Subscale Score
The prospective anxiety subscale of the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUS-12) is a 7-item measure. The measure uses a 5-point Likert scale (1=not at all like me to 5=entirely like me). Scores range from 7-35, with lower scores reflecting more tolerance of uncertain situations. IUS-12 was administered at Baseline and at 8 weeks. Change scores are reported from paired t-tests for within-group assessments and from mixed effects models for the total population controlling for caregiving role, severity of dementia in the care recipient and dependencies in the data (individuals within families within cohorts).
Measured: up to 8 weeks
Change From Baseline in Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUS-12) Inhibitory Subscale Score
The inhibitory subscale of the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUS-12) is a 5-item measure. The measure uses a 5-point Likert scale (1=not at all like me to 5=entirely like me). Total scores range from 5-25, with lower scores reflecting more tolerance of uncertain situations. IUS-12 was administered at baseline and at 8 weeks. Within group change scores are reported based on paired t-tests. Total change scores are reported from mixed effects models controlling for caregiving role, severity of dementia in the care recipient, and dependencies in the data (individuals within families within cohorts).
Measured: up to 8 weeks
Change From Baseline on PROMIS Meaning and Purpose-Short Form 6a
The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Meaning and Purpose-Short Form 6a is a 6-item scale that assesses a sense that life has purpose and there are good reasons for living, including hopefulness, optimism, goal-directedness, and feelings that one's life is worthy. It uses a 5-point Likert scale (1=strongly disagree to 5=strongly agree). Raw scores range from 6-30 with higher scores representing more endorsement of meaning and life. Raw scores are converted to T-scores based on population norms with a mean of 50 and standard deviation of 10. Therefore a score of 60 represents 1 standard deviation above the population average and indicates a high level of meaning and purpose. Within-group change scores are reported based on paired t-tests. Total change scores are reported from mixed effects models controlling for caregiving role, severity of dementia in the care recipient, and dependencies in the data (individuals within families within cohorts).
Measured: Baseline, 8 weeks
Change From Baseline on Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness Scale-Revised (CAMS-R)
The CAMS-R is a 12-item scale measuring mindfulness by using language that is not representative of any particular meditation training or practice. It uses a 4-point Likert scale with responses ranging from 1 (Rarely/Not at all) to 4 (Almost always). Total scores range from 12-48. Higher scores indicate higher levels of mindfulness. Within-group change scores are reported based on paired t-tests. Total change scores are reported from mixed effects models controlling for caregiving role, the severity of dementia in the care recipient, and dependencies in the data (individuals within families within cohorts).
Measured: Baseline, 8 weeks
Change From Baseline on PROMIS Emotional Distress-Anxiety-Short Form 4a
The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Emotional Distress-Anxiety-Short Form 4a is a 4-item scale that assesses fear (fearfulness, panic), anxious misery (worry, dread), hyperarousal (tension, nervousness, restlessness), and somatic symptoms related to arousal (racing heart, dizziness). It uses a 5-point Likert scale (1=never to 5=always). Raw scores range from 4-20 and are standardized to T-scores based on population averages (mean 50 and standard deviation 10). A score less than 55 is within normal limits. A score between 55-59.9 represents mild anxiety. A score greater than 60-69.9 represents moderate anxiety and a score of 70 or greater represents severe anxiety. Within-group change scores are reported based on paired t-tests. Total change scores are reported from mixed effects models controlling for caregiving role, the severity of dementia in the care recipient, and dependencies in the data (individuals within families within cohorts).
Measured: Baseline, 8 weeks
Change From Baseline on PROMIS Emotional Distress-Anger-Short Form 5a
The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Emotional Distress-Anger-Short Form 5a item is a 5-item scale that assesses angry mood (irritability, frustration), negative social cognitions (interpersonal sensitivity, envy, disagreeableness), and efforts to control anger. It uses a 5-point Likert scale (1=never to 5=always). Raw scores range from 5-25 and are standardized to T-scores based on population averages (mean 50 and standard deviation 10). A score less than 55 is within normal limits. A score between 55-59.9 represents mild anger; 60-69.9 represents moderate anger and 70 or greater represents severe anger. Within-group change scores are reported based on paired t-tests. Total change scores are reported from mixed effects models controlling for caregiving role, the severity of dementia in the care recipient, and dependencies in the data (individuals within families within cohorts).
Measured: Baseline, 8 weeks
Change From Baseline on PROMIS Global Physical Health
The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Global Physical Health is a 2-item scale that assesses overall evaluation of one's physical health. It is based on the well-validated Rand measure, assessing general self-rated physical health, physical function, pain, and fatigue. It uses a 5-point Likert scale (1=poor to 5=excellent). Raw scores range from 2-10 and are standardized to T-scores with a population average of 50 and standard deviation of 10. Suggested cut points include 58 or higher = excellent; 50-57.9 = very good; 42-49.9 = good; 35-41.9 = fair, and less than 35 = poor. Change scores are reported from mixed effects models that utilize the entire population.
Measured: Baseline, 8 weeks
Change From Baseline on Cognitive Emotional Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ)-Short Form
Cognitive Emotional Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ)-Short Form is an 18-item measure consisting of 5 positive coping strategies (acceptance, positive refocusing, planning, positive reappraisal, putting into perspective) and 4 negative strategies (rumination, catastrophizing, self-blame, other-blame). Total scores range from 18-90 with higher scores representing more cognitive emotional regulation. Within-group change scores are reported based on paired t-tests. Total change scores are reported from mixed effects models controlling for caregiving roles, the severity of dementia in the care recipient, and dependencies in the data (individuals within families within cohorts).
Measured: Baseline, 8 weeks
Change From Baseline on Cognitive Emotional Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ)-Short Form (Acceptance)
Cognitive Emotional Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ)-Short Form acceptance subscale consisting of two questions. The subscale scores range from 2-10 with higher scores representing greater acceptance coping. Change scores are reported from mixed effects models controlling for caregiving role, severity of dementia in the care recipient, and dependencies in the data (individuals within families within cohorts).
Measured: Baseline, 8 weeks
Change From Baseline on Cognitive Emotional Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ)-Short Form (Positive Refocusing)
Cognitive Emotional Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ)-Short Form positive refocusing subscale consisting of two questions. The subscale scores range from 2-10 with higher scores representing greater positive refocusing coping strategy. Within-group change scores are reported based on paired t-tests. Total change scores are reported from mixed effects models controlling for caregiving roles, the severity of dementia in the care recipient, and dependencies in the data (individuals within families within cohorts).
Measured: Baseline, 8 weeks
Change From Baseline on Cognitive Emotional Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ)-Short Form (Planning)
Cognitive Emotional Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ)-Short Form planning subscale consisting of two questions. The subscale scores range from 2-10 with higher scores representing greater planning. Within-group change scores are reported based on paired t-tests. Total change scores are reported from mixed effects models controlling for caregiving roles, the severity of dementia in the care recipient, and dependencies in the data (individuals within families within cohorts).
Measured: Baseline, 8 weeks
Change From Baseline on Cognitive Emotional Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ)-Short Form (Positive Reappraisal)
Cognitive Emotional Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ)-Short Form positive reappraisal subscale consisting of two questions. The subscale scores range from 2-10 with higher scores representing greater positive reappraisal. Within-group change scores are reported based on paired t-tests. Total change scores are reported from mixed effects models controlling for caregiving roles, the severity of dementia in the care recipient, and dependencies in the data (individuals within families within cohorts).
Measured: Baseline, 8 weeks
Change From Baseline on Cognitive Emotional Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ)-Short Form (Putting Into Perspective)
Cognitive Emotional Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ)-Short Form putting into perspective subscale consisting of two questions. The subscale scores range from 2-10 with higher scores representing greater putting into perspective coping strategy. Within-group change scores are reported based on paired t-tests. Total change scores are reported from mixed effects models controlling for caregiving roles, the severity of dementia in the care recipient, and dependencies in the data (individuals within families within cohorts).
Measured: Baseline, 8 weeks
Change From Baseline on Cognitive Emotional Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ)-Short Form (Rumination)
Cognitive Emotional Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ)-Short Form rumination subscale consisting of two questions. The subscale scores range from 2-10 with higher scores representing greater rumination. Within-group change scores are reported based on paired t-tests. Total change scores are reported from mixed effects models controlling for caregiving role, the severity of dementia in the care recipient, and dependencies in the data (individuals within families within cohorts).
Measured: Baseline, 8 weeks
Change From Baseline on Cognitive Emotional Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ)-Short Form (Catastrophizing)
Cognitive Emotional Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ)-Short Form catastrophizing subscale consisting of two questions. The subscale scores range from 2-10 with higher scores representing greater catastrophizing coping. Within-group change scores are reported based on paired t-tests. Total change scores are reported from mixed effects models controlling for caregiving role, the severity of dementia in the care recipient, and dependencies in the data (individuals within families within cohorts).
Measured: Baseline, 8 weeks
Change From Baseline on Cognitive Emotional Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ)-Short Form (Self-Blame)
Cognitive Emotional Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ)-Short Form self-blame subscale consisting of two questions. The subscale scores range from 2-10 with higher scores representing greater self-blame as a coping strategy. Within-group change scores are reported based on paired t-tests. Total change scores are reported from mixed effects models controlling for caregiving roles, the severity of dementia in the care recipient, and dependencies in the data (individuals within families within cohorts).
Measured: Baseline, 8 weeks
Change From Baseline on Cognitive Emotional Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ)-Short Form (Other-Blame)
Cognitive Emotional Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ)-Short Form other-blame subscale consisting of two questions. The subscale scores range from 2-10 with higher scores representing greater blaming others as a coping strategy. Change scores are reported from mixed effects models controlling for caregiving role, severity of dementia in the care recipient, and dependencies in the data (individuals within families within cohorts).
Measured: Baseline, 8 weeks
Change From Baseline on PROMIS Emotional Support-Short Form 4a
The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Emotional Support-Short Form 4a is a 4-item scale that assesses perceived feelings of being cared for and valued as a person and having confidant relationships. Item responses use a 5-point LIkert scale (1=never to 5=always). Raw scores range from 4-20. The PROMIS Emotional Support item is reported as a T score standardized to a population mean of 50 and standard deviation of 10 with higher scores reflecting more positive endorsement of emotional support. Within-group change scores are reported based on paired t-tests. Total change scores are reported from mixed effects models controlling for caregiving role, the severity of dementia in the care recipient, and dependencies in the data (individuals within families within cohorts).
Measured: Baseline, 8 weeks
Change From Baseline on PROMIS Informational Support-Short Form 4a
The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Informational Support-Short Form 4a is a 4-item scale that assesses perceived availability of helpful information or advice. Item responses use a 5-point LIkert scale (1=never to 5=always). Raw scores range from 4-20. The PROMIS Informational Support item is reported as a T score standardized to a population mean of 50 and standard deviation of 10 with higher scores reflecting more positive endorsement of informational support. Within-group change scores are reported based on paired t-tests. Total change scores are reported from mixed effects models controlling for caregiving role, the severity of dementia in the care recipient, and dependencies in the data (individuals within families within cohorts).
Measured: Baseline, 8 weeks
Change From Baseline on PROMIS Instrumental Support-Short Form 4a
The PROMIS Instrumental Support-Short Form 4a is a 4-item scale that assesses perceived availability of assistance with material, cognitive or task performance. Item responses use a 5-point LIkert scale (1=never to 5=always). Raw scores range from 4-20. The PROMIS Instrumental Support item is reported as a T score standardized to a population mean of 50 and standard deviation of 10 with higher scores reflecting more positive endorsement of instrumental support. Within-group change scores are reported based on paired t-tests. Total change scores are reported from mixed effects models controlling for caregiving role, the severity of dementia in the care recipient, and dependencies in the data (individuals within families within cohorts).
Measured: Baseline, 8 weeks
Change From Baseline on PROMIS General Self-Efficacy-Short Form 4a
The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) General Self-Efficacy-Short Form 4a is a 4-item scale that assesses confidence in ability to successfully perform specific tasks or behaviors related to one's health in a variety of situations. Items are measured on a 5-point Likert scale (1=I am not at all confident to 5=I am very confident). Raw scores range from 4-20. The PROMIS General Self-Efficacy item is reported as a T score standardized to a population mean of 50 and standard deviation of 10 with higher scores reflecting more positive endorsement of self-efficacy. Within-group change scores are reported based on paired t-tests. Total change scores are reported from mixed effects models controlling for caregiving role, the severity of dementia in the care recipient, and dependencies in the data (individuals within families within cohorts).
Measured: Baseline, 8 weeks
Change From Baseline in Mean NPI-Q Distress Scores
The Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI-Q) Caregiver Distress subscale uses a 6-point scale with 12 items and scores ranging from 0-60. The NPI-Q measures the degree of distress associated with symptoms associated with dementia e.g., delusions, appetite change, and anxiety. Higher scores indicate more distress. Within-group change scores are reported based on paired t-tests. Total change scores are reported from mixed effects models controlling for caregiving role, the severity of dementia in the care recipient, and dependencies in the data (individuals within families within cohorts).
Measured: Baseline, 8 weeks
Change From Baseline on PROMIS Self-Efficacy for Managing Emotions-Short Form 4a
The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Self-Efficacy for Managing Emotions-Short Form 4a is a 4-item scale that assesses confidence to manage/control symptoms of anxiety, depression, helplessness, discouragement, frustration, disappointment and anger. Items are measured using a 5-point Likert scale (1=I am not at all confident to 5=I am very confident). Raw scores range from 4-20. The PROMIS Self-Efficacy for Managing Emotions item is reported as a T score standardized to a population mean of 50 and standard deviation of 10 with higher scores reflecting more positive endorsement of managing emotion. Within-group change scores are reported based on paired t-tests. Total change scores are reported from mixed effects models controlling for caregiving role, the severity of dementia in the care recipient, and dependencies in the data (individuals within families within cohorts).
Measured: Baseline, 8 weeks
Change From Baseline in the Family Conflict Strategies for Care Subscale
The FCS is a 12-item scale that measures the degree of conflict the family experiences about the seriousness of the care recipient's condition, concerns about the care recipient's safety, what the care recipient can do for him/herself, and whether a nursing home is indicated. The first subscale measures conflict around definitions of the illness and strategies for care (4 items). Items are measured on a 4-point Likert scale (1=no disagreement to 4=quite a bit of disagreement). The total scores range from 4-16 with lower scores representing less family conflict. Within-group change scores are reported based on paired t-tests. Total change scores are reported from mixed effects models controlling for caregiving role, the severity of dementia in the care recipient, and dependencies in the data (individuals within families within cohorts).
Measured: Baseline, 8 weeks
Change From Baseline in the Family Conflict Scale Attitudes and Actions Toward the Patient Subscale
The FCS is a 12-item scale that measures the degree of conflict the family experiences about the seriousness of the care recipient's condition, concerns about the care recipient's safety, what the care recipient can do for him/herself, and whether a nursing home is indicated. The second subscale measures conflict around family members' attitudes and action toward the patient (4 items) Items are measured on a 4-point Likert scale (1=no disagreement to 4=quite a bit of disagreement). The total scores range from 4-16 with lower scores representing less family conflict. Within-group change scores are reported based on paired t-tests. Total change scores are reported from mixed effects models controlling for caregiving role, the severity of dementia in the care recipient, and dependencies in the data (individuals within families within cohorts).
Measured: Baseline, 8 weeks
Change From Baseline on Family Conflict Scale (FCS) Actions and Attitudes Toward the Caregiver Subscale
The FCS is a 12-item scale that measures the degree of conflict the family experiences about the seriousness of the care recipient's condition, concerns about the care recipient's safety, what the care recipient can do for him/herself, and whether a nursing home is indicated. The third subscale measures conflict around family members' actions and attitudes around the caregiver (4 items). Items are measured on a 4-point Likert scale (1=no disagreement to 4=quite a bit of disagreement). The total scores range from 4-16 with lower scores representing less family conflict. This measure was requested from the primary caregiver only. Change scores are reported from mixed effects models controlling for the severity of dementia in the care recipient and dependencies in the data (individuals within cohorts).
Measured: Baseline, 8 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted16 Aug 2019
- Study start15 Nov 2019
- Primary completion4 Jul 2022
- Study completion6 Jul 2022
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, outcome measures and adverse events reported by the sponsor.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Alzheimer DementiaStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by University of North Carolina, Chapel HillThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 57 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Institute on Aging (NIA)
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Susan Gaylord, PhD, Principal investigator, UNC-Chapel HillSharon Williams, PhD, Principal investigator, UNC Chapel Hill
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04058886
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 19-0053
- Other IDs
- R21AG061728
- Status last verified
- Jul 2023
- First submitted
- 14 Aug 2019
- Last updated
- 19 Jul 2023
- Results posted
- Yes, on ClinicalTrials.gov
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: Deidentified individual data that supports the results will be shared beginning 9 to 36 months following publication provided the investigator who proposes to use the data has approval from an Institutional Review Board (IRB), Independent Ethics Committee (IEC), or Research Ethics Board (REB), as applicable, and executes a data use/sharing agreement with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC).
Publications
Faurot KR, Roth I, Harr E, Shafer J, Giscombe K, Sheffield-Abdullah KM, Lathren C, Brantley M, Williams SW, Gaylord SA. Feasibility of a Telephone-Delivered Mindfulness Intervention for Informal Caregivers of Rural-Dwelling African Americans With Dementia. Glob Adv Integr Med Health. 2025 Jun 4;14:27536130251347944. doi: 10.1177/27536130251347944. eCollection 2025 Jan-Dec.
PubMed 40475373
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 19 Jul 2023. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Easing the Burden of Dementia Caregiving: A Telephone-delivered Mindfulness Intervention for Rural, African American Families
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04058886
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 19-0053
- Conditions
- Alzheimer Dementia, Caregiver, Dementia Alzheimers
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 57 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of North Carolina, Chapel HillUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Institute on Aging (NIA)
- Study start
- 15 Nov 2019 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 4 Jul 2022 (actual)
- Study completion
- 6 Jul 2022 (actual)
- First posted
- 16 Aug 2019 (actual)
- Results
- Posted 19 Jul 2023
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study is assesses the feasibility and acceptability of telephone-delivered mindfulness training designed to alleviate caregiver burden for African-American rural caregivers of individuals with moderate to severe dementia, as defined by the caregiver. The study utilizes a single-group, uncontrolled design to test the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention for the target population.
Detailed description
Mindfulness interventions can decrease caregiver burden and improve coping skills, including decreased emotion-based coping, increased tolerance for uncertainty, improved psychological well-being and quality of life while potentially improving relationship quality and communication.
This study utilizes a single-group, uncontrolled design to assess the feasibility and acceptability of telephone-delivered mindfulness training designed to alleviate caregiver burden for African-American rural caregivers of individuals with moderate to severe dementia, as defined by the caregiver. The telephone-delivered mindfulness intervention will improve geographical access for rural caregivers and deem more flexible for a caregiver's schedule. The study's intervention consists of mindfulness training delivered by telephone once weekly for 8 weeks. The intervention also includes one retreat for which respite care will be provided, if needed. The intervention, based on, Kabat-Zinn's mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), will emphasize the following: 1) mindful experiencing, including mindfulness of feelings and body sensations; 2) mindful communication, including non-verbal mindfulness, mindful listening, and mindful speaking; and 3) mindful compassion for self and others.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Telephone-delivered Mindfulness | Experimental | Behavioral: Telephone-delivered MindfulnessParticipating caregivers and care partners will receive mindfulness training in 8 weekly telephone sessions plus one retreat. Respite care for the care recipient is provided for the retreat. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- The candidate is at least 18 years old;
- The candidate self-identifies as Black or African American;
- The candidate provides at least 4 hours of care per day to the care recipient, who must have either a diagnosis of dementia OR have a score of at least 2 or higher on the Alzheimer's Disease Screening tool (AD-8) or a score of 8 or higher on the Functional Assessment Staging of Alzheimer's disease (FAST) scale (indicative of moderate - severe dementia);
- The candidate is able to identify and recruit an additional informal caregiver (care partner) to participate in the study. The care partner must consider themselves as part of the caregiving team that helps to make decisions about the care of the care recipient. The care partner may be a blood relative or close friend, but not a formal caregiver. The care partner need not live in the same geographic area.
- Both the candidate primary caregiver and care partner must have access to a telephone and express a willingness to participate in the pre- and post-participation assessments, the intervention calls, and the intervention retreat.
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- The candidate is too unwell to participate; e.g., with an active diagnosis of cancer or more than 3 hospitalizations in the past year;
- The primary caregiver is unable to identify and recruit a care partner willing to commit to the study requirements;
- The care recipient does not meet the criteria for dementia.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Telephone-delivered MindfulnessThe telephone-delivered mindfulness training intervention that will incorporate the following elements: 1) training for primary caregivers (CG) and their caregiving partner (CP) in a telephone-based mindfulness training intervention; 2) groups of up to eight participants (four CG-CP pairs) plus an instructor, on a shared telephone line; and 3) training in a 8-week, modified MBSR program, which places additional emphasis on training in the following: a) mindful experiencing, including mindfulness of feelings and body sensations; b) mindful communication, including non-verbal mindfulness, mindful listening, and mindful speaking; and c) mindful compassion for self and others. Additionally, homework assignments will involve listening to exercises on a dial-in telephone line; and assignments for CG-CP dyads (e.g. mindful listening and communication practices) as well as CG mindfulness practices in the presence of care recipients (e.g. mindful eating, and mindful listening). | Behavioural | Telephone-delivered Mindfulness |
Primary outcome
Number of Participants Attending at Least 6 Telephone Sessions
Time frame: 8 weeks
The instructor will conduct a role call to take attendance at the beginning of each of the 8 class sessions and 1 retreat session. Eighty-five percent of participants who start the intervention will complete at least 6 out of 9 intervention sessions. Attendance used as a proxy to assess intervention acceptability.
Percent of Dyads Who Endorse the Program
Time frame: 8 weeks
The intervention will be acceptable to informal caregiving teams as evidenced by an 85 percent (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 72.5, 97.5) endorsement of the program in post-participation interviews. Calculated based on responses to open-ended questions regarding participants' experiences of the intervention. Examples of questions are: "how valuable or beneficial was the mindfulness training to you?" and "what challenges did you have with the training?" and "what did you expect from the training that you did not get?". Endorsement was considered positive if the expressions of value outweighed challenges (i.e., positive comments outweighed negative comments by dyad). Data reported as caregiving teams (dyads) in accordance with the protocol.
28 secondary outcomes
Change From Baseline in the Zarit Burden Interview Short Form (ZBI-12) Score
Time frame: Baseline, 8 weeks
Change From Baseline in the Family Satisfaction Scale (FSS) Score
Time frame: up to 8 weeks
Change From Baseline in Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUS-12) Prospective Subscale Score
Time frame: up to 8 weeks
Change From Baseline in Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUS-12) Inhibitory Subscale Score
Time frame: up to 8 weeks
Change From Baseline on PROMIS Meaning and Purpose-Short Form 6a
Time frame: Baseline, 8 weeks
Change From Baseline on Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness Scale-Revised (CAMS-R)
Time frame: Baseline, 8 weeks
Change From Baseline on PROMIS Emotional Distress-Anxiety-Short Form 4a
Time frame: Baseline, 8 weeks
Change From Baseline on PROMIS Emotional Distress-Anger-Short Form 5a
Time frame: Baseline, 8 weeks
Change From Baseline on PROMIS Global Physical Health
Time frame: Baseline, 8 weeks
Change From Baseline on Cognitive Emotional Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ)-Short Form
Time frame: Baseline, 8 weeks
Change From Baseline on Cognitive Emotional Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ)-Short Form (Acceptance)
Time frame: Baseline, 8 weeks
Change From Baseline on Cognitive Emotional Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ)-Short Form (Positive Refocusing)
Time frame: Baseline, 8 weeks
Change From Baseline on Cognitive Emotional Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ)-Short Form (Planning)
Time frame: Baseline, 8 weeks
Change From Baseline on Cognitive Emotional Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ)-Short Form (Positive Reappraisal)
Time frame: Baseline, 8 weeks
Change From Baseline on Cognitive Emotional Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ)-Short Form (Putting Into Perspective)
Time frame: Baseline, 8 weeks
Change From Baseline on Cognitive Emotional Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ)-Short Form (Rumination)
Time frame: Baseline, 8 weeks
Change From Baseline on Cognitive Emotional Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ)-Short Form (Catastrophizing)
Time frame: Baseline, 8 weeks
Change From Baseline on Cognitive Emotional Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ)-Short Form (Self-Blame)
Time frame: Baseline, 8 weeks
Change From Baseline on Cognitive Emotional Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ)-Short Form (Other-Blame)
Time frame: Baseline, 8 weeks
Change From Baseline on PROMIS Emotional Support-Short Form 4a
Time frame: Baseline, 8 weeks
Change From Baseline on PROMIS Informational Support-Short Form 4a
Time frame: Baseline, 8 weeks
Change From Baseline on PROMIS Instrumental Support-Short Form 4a
Time frame: Baseline, 8 weeks
Change From Baseline on PROMIS General Self-Efficacy-Short Form 4a
Time frame: Baseline, 8 weeks
Change From Baseline in Mean NPI-Q Distress Scores
Time frame: Baseline, 8 weeks
Change From Baseline on PROMIS Self-Efficacy for Managing Emotions-Short Form 4a
Time frame: Baseline, 8 weeks
Change From Baseline in the Family Conflict Strategies for Care Subscale
Time frame: Baseline, 8 weeks
Change From Baseline in the Family Conflict Scale Attitudes and Actions Toward the Patient Subscale
Time frame: Baseline, 8 weeks
Change From Baseline on Family Conflict Scale (FCS) Actions and Attitudes Toward the Caregiver Subscale
Time frame: Baseline, 8 weeks
Results and safety
Loading the posted results from ClinicalTrials.gov…
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 19 Jul 2023.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, baseline, all outcome measures and adverse events.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 40475373Faurot KR, Roth I, Harr E, Shafer J, Giscombe K, Sheffield-Abdullah KM, Lathren C, Brantley M, Williams SW, Gaylord SA. Feasibility of a Telephone-Delivered Mindfulness Intervention for Informal Caregivers of Rural-Dwelling African Americans With Dementia. Glob Adv Integr Med Health. 2025 Jun 4;14:27536130251347944. doi: 10.1177/27536130251347944. eCollection 2025 Jan-Dec.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. Deidentified individual data that supports the results will be shared beginning 9 to 36 months following publication provided the investigator who proposes to use the data has approval from an Institutional Review Board (IRB), Independent Ethics Committee (IEC), or Research Ethics Board (REB), as applicable, and executes a data use/sharing agreement with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC).
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Susan Gaylord, PhD principal investigator
UNC-Chapel Hill
Sharon Williams, PhD principal investigator
UNC Chapel Hill
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Telephone-delivered Mindfulness in people with Alzheimer Dementia and Caregiver, run by University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 19 Jul 2023. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 19 Jul 2023). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Number of Participants Attending at Least 6 Telephone Sessions (time frame: 8 weeks). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT04058886, which also lists 1 linked publication.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 19 Jul 2023.