Resilient Together Dyadic Intervention for Persons With Dementia and Their Partners: Protocol for a Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial.

Abstract

Background: Alzheimer disease and related dementias can impact emotional distress and individual and relational health among persons living with dementia and their romantic partners. There are limited skill-based interventions that can help couples build resilience while navigating dementia-related challenges.

Objective: We aim to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary signal of improvement of Resilient Together for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementia (RT-ADRD), a novel dyadic skills-based intervention aimed at preventing chronic emotional distress early after diagnosis.

Methods: Couples are randomized to complete either (1) six weekly conjoint intervention sessions of RT-ADRD or (2) a minimally enhanced usual care condition involving a self-guided pamphlet. Both partners must demonstrate capacity to consent to research participation, and at least 1 partner must exhibit clinically elevated emotional distress. Partners living with dementia must have received their diagnosis in the past 6 months. Participants complete baseline and posttest assessments of resiliency skills, emotional distress, relationship functioning, and quality of life and assessments of treatment satisfaction at posttest only.

Results: This is aim 3 of a 5-year funded study that initially began in July 2022. Participant recruitment and data collection for this phase began in October 2024 and will continue until 40 couples (80 individuals) are randomized and complete the posttest. As of manuscript submission (July 2026), 25 couples have been enrolled and 25 couples have been randomized. Data collection is currently underway, and study completion is expected by early 2027.

Conclusions: This study will gather comprehensive information on the feasibility and acceptability of RT-ADRD relative to minimally enhanced usual care and assess the preliminary signal of improvement in proximal outcomes. Findings will directly inform plans for a larger efficacy trial.