The goal of the project is to evaluate Wellness Enhancement for Caregivers (WECARE), a digital behavioral intervention for high-demand dementia caregivers. The behavioral intervention is culturally tailored to the target users and will be delivered via the WECARE mobile app and accompanying website, accessible only to verified enrolled participants. Participants will engage with digital learning materials and supportive resources over the course of the program. The goal is to determine whether this approach improves caregiver well-being and reduces stress related to caregiving.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
200
The 7-week WECARE intervention was designed to improve caregiving skills, alleviate caregiver distress, and enhance the psychosocial well-being of dementia caregivers. The program content includes short video clips, pictorial messages, and audio recordings tailored participants characteristics (e.g., caregiver role, baseline caregiving burden) and personalized to their individual needs based on weekly feedback.
Participants will access the the same WECARE app and accomanying website to receive the 7-week program featured in general health education. Each week, participants receive health information with a focused theme at the same frequency as the intervention group.
Efficacy of Behavioral Intervention in Change From Baseline in Depressive Symptoms
The baseline and follow-up differences in depressive symptoms will be assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). The CES-D is a 20-item survey instrument designed to measure the frequency and severity of depressive symptoms. The total score is calculated by summing the responses to all 20 items. The total scale ranges from 0 to 60, with higher scores indicating more severe depressive symptoms (a worse outcome). The primary analysis will calculate the difference in this total score between baseline and follow-up. adults and dementia caregivers.
Time frame: Baseline, and Follow-Up at Weeks 11-12 (4 to 5 weeks after completion of the intervention)
Efficacy of Behavioral Intervention in Change From Baseline in Caregiving Burden
The baseline and follow-up differences in caregiving burden will be assessed using the 12-item Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI-12). The ZBI-12 is designed to measure the subjective physical, psychological, and social burden experienced by caregivers. Each item is rated on a 5-point scale from "never" (0) to "nearly always" (4), The total score is calculated by summing the responses to all 12 items. The total scale ranges from 0 to 48, with higher scores indicating greater caregiving burden (a worse outcome). The primary analysis will calculate the difference in this total score between baseline and follow-up.
Time frame: Baseline, and Follow-Up at Weeks 11-12 (4 to 5 weeks after completion of the intervention)
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