Virtual Group Dementia Caregiver Intervention for the Management of Neuropsychiatric Symptoms (NPS): 3-Month Follow-Up of a Pilot Study

Pilot test the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a virtual group dementia caregiver intervention (TeleCARE) in improving depression, anxiety, and distress related to NPS.Twenty predominately female (80%), spouses (80%), ages 35-88 (M = 70.8), participated in TeleCARE. The CDR-Sum of Boxes for patient dementia severity reflected moderate dementia (M = 11.1, SD = 3.18). Caregiver data was collected at baseline, immediately following the intervention, and 3 months after completion.Following the intervention, 85% of caregivers understood NPS better, and 90% felt better able to care for the person with dementia (PWD) and manage caregiving. Immediately following the intervention, caregivers reported reductions in depression (BDI: M = 9.55, SD = 7.88 vs. M = 7.75, SD = 7.11), anxiety (BAI: M = 8.65, SD = 7.46 vs. M = 6.75, SD = 7.24), and distress related to NPS (M = 26.60, SD = 11.97 vs. M = 25.10, SD = 11.60). Decreases in depression and anxiety were not maintained at the 3-month follow-up (BDI: M = 8.60, SD = 7.82; BAI M = 8.95, SD = 10.90), but distress related to NPS declined further (M = 24.40, SD = 10.68).TeleCARE improved the understanding of NPS and the ability to care for the PWD and manage caregiving demands. Reductions were seen in depression, anxiety, and distress related to NPS immediately following the intervention. Reductions in depression and anxiety were not maintained at 3-months, but caregivers showed further reductions in distress related to NPS, suggesting that the targeted NPS intervention had sustained targeted outcomes (distress related specifically to NPS), perhaps resulting from improved understanding of NPS and continued application of taught skills. Adding booster sessions may help sustain reductions in depression and anxiety.