Abstract

Background

The majority of persons with dementia in Sweden reside in their own homes with support from family members. Approximately, 12% of persons with dementia have immigrant background. Within the next 20 years, the number of persons with dementia who are non-ethnic Swedes is said to double. Family caregivers with immigrant backgrounds are noted to receive less support in the community than ethnic Swedes and rate their health status lower than ethnic Swedish peers. The Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare have highlighted the importance of follow-up support for family caregivers with immigrant backgrounds as there is a recognized gap in research and available information tailored to meet the needs of this group.

Purpose of the study

The purpose of the study is to test effectiveness of an mHealth based intervention through which community social workers can improve caregiving competence of non-European immigrant family caregivers of people with dementia living at home in Sweden. The overarching aim is to reduce caregiver burden and depressive symptoms, and improve quality of life.

Methods

A randomized controlled trial (RCT) including wait list control group will be performed consisting of an intervention group (A, n = 44) and a wait list control group (B, n = 44), totaling a sample size of 88. On completion of the 10-weeks long intervention in the intervention group, the intervention will be delivered to group B. Effect of the intervention will be analyzed between and within groups over time. The content of the educational component of the intervention is inspired by the iSupport manual developed by the World Health Organization. The contents, in the form of a booklet, aims to equip the family caregivers with structured information on understanding dementia as a condition and its management at home, including self-care guidance designed specifically for family caregivers themselves.

Discussion

Similar telephone-delivered intervention studies targeted for family caregivers to persons with dementia are ongoing in Malaysia and will start in India using the same booklet adapted to the local context. These studies will provide evidence on the effectiveness of using digital technologies to deliver support to those who may not be reached or adequately served by the traditional healthcare system.

Trial registration

ISRCTN registry, Registration number ISRCTN64235563.

Details

Title
mHealth based intervention by social care professionals to support family caregivers to persons with dementia living at home in Sweden (Caregiver Connect): a randomized controlled trial
Author
Zarina Nahar Kabir; Tyrrell, Marie; Konradsen, Hanne; Craftman, Åsa; Joshi, Nitin; Gupta, Manoj Kumar; Sharma, Suresh; Bhardwaj, Pankaj
Pages
1-8
Section
Study Protocol
Publication year
2024
Publication date
2024
Publisher
BioMed Central
e-ISSN
14712318
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
3079182377
Copyright
© 2024. This work is licensed under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.