A three-country randomized controlled trial of a psychosocial intervention for caregivers combined with pharmacological treatment for patients with Alzheimer disease: effects on caregiver depression.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To evaluate the effectiveness of a combination of cholinesterase inhibitor therapy for patients with Alzheimer disease (AD) and psychosocial intervention, for their spouse caregivers compared with drug treatment alone in three countries simultaneously.

Design

Randomized controlled trial. Structured questionnaires were administered at baseline and at regular follow-up intervals for 24 months by independent raters blind to group assignment.

Setting

Outpatient research clinics in New York City, U.S., Manchester, U.K. and Sydney, Australia.

Participants

Volunteer sample of 158 spouse caregivers of community dwelling patients with AD.

Interventions

Five sessions of individual and family counseling within 3 months of enrollment and continuous availab

SUBMITTER: Mittelman MS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2753499 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature