Web-Based Psychoeducation for Dementia Caregivers

Overview

Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), such as agitation, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance, and apathy, are common among people with dementia and often increase the burden on family caregivers. Many caregivers have limited knowledge and confidence in managing these symptoms. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a 6-week web-based psychoeducation and BPSD symptom-monitoring program in improving caregivers' self-efficacy in managing BPSD. Community-dwelling family caregivers of people with dementia will be recruited through healthcare, care, or community service settings and related activities in Taiwan. Participants will be assigned sequentially to either an intervention group receiving web-based psychoeducation, BPSD symptom monitoring, and usual care, or a control group receiving usual care alone. The primary outcome is caregiver self-efficacy. Secondary outcomes include BPSD severity and caregiver burden.

Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) affect many people living with dementia during the course of the disease and are associated with increased caregiver burden, psychological distress, and reduced quality of life. Family caregivers frequently experience difficulties in recognizing BPSD, identifying possible triggers, and applying appropriate management strategies. Although web-based psychoeducation has shown potential benefits for dementia caregivers, evidence regarding its effectiveness in improving caregiver self-efficacy through the integration of structured symptom monitoring remains limited. This study will evaluate a six-week web-based psychoeducation and BPSD symptom-monitoring program developed for family caregivers of community-dwelling people with dementia. The intervention is delivered through an AppSheet-based online platform and includes web-based educational modules and BPSD symptom diary recording. The symptom diary allows caregivers to record symptom types, circumstances, possible triggers, management strategies, and outcomes. Educational topics include understanding dementia, recognition of BPSD and possible triggers, BPSD management and caregiving strategies, communication and home care, caregiver self-care, and community support resources. This study uses a quasi-experimental two-group pretest-posttest parallel design. Approximately 80 family caregivers will be recruited through healthcare, care, or community service settings and related activities in Taiwan. Participants will be assigned sequentially in alternating order to either the intervention group or the usual care control group. Outcome assessments will be conducted at baseline (Week 0) and after the six-week intervention (Week 6) for both groups. Participants in the intervention group will additionally complete a follow-up assessment at Week 10 to evaluate maintenance of intervention effects. The primary outcome is caregiver self-efficacy measured using the Revised Scale for Caregiving Self-Efficacy (RSCSE). Secondary outcomes include BPSD measured using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI-Q) and caregiver burden measured using the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI).