Evaluation of a Short-Term Telephone-Based Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Dementia Family Caregivers

Abstract

This study evaluates a short-term telephone-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for family caregivers. The study goal was to analyse whether caregivers of the intervention group reported better well-being and health at post treatment than participants of an untreated control group and an attention control group (treated with progressive muscle relaxation [PMR]), and whether these benefits maintained at 6-month follow-up. Participants (n = 229) were assigned to the study groups after baseline assessment. Most were female (82.2%), with a mean age of 62 years. As outcome measurements, the study assessed depressive symptoms, body complaints, emotional well-being, and perceived health. The intervention group showed short-term effects in improving well-being when compared with the PMR and the untreated control groups. Furthermore, in comparison to the untreated controls CBT was effective in decreasing body complaints at post treatment and in improving perceived health at 6-month follow-up. Improvements for CBT in comparison to the PMR group could be shown for depressive symptoms at 6-month follow-up. CBT for family caregivers is applicable via telephone and has shown promising short and long-term effects. A prolongation of the intervention might enhance the effects.