A randomized trial of two online platforms for dementia family caregivers: GamePlan4Care and Resources4Care

INTRODUCTION

Digital technologies can increase the accessibility of evidence-based caregiver programs.

METHODS

A 6-month, phase I, exploratory, randomized-controlled trial of two dementia caregiver support platforms, GamePlan4Care (GP4C) and Resources4Care (R4C), each enrolling 120 community-based family caregivers. Outcome measures included burden, positive aspects of caregiving, social support, and depression.

RESULTS

Caregivers showed significant follow-up improvements in burden (GP4C: effect size [ES] = 0.50, p < 0.001; R4C: ES = 0.47, p < 0.001), positive aspects of caregiving (GP4C: ES = 0.26, p = 0.022; R4C: ES = 0.23, p = 0.030), social support (GP4C: ES = 0.21, p = 0.035), and distress (GP4C: ES = 0.30, p = 0.010). Caregivers engaged more in GP4C (GP4C: mean 5.5 h, SD = 0.61; R4C: mean 1.9 h, SD = 0.20) and set more goals for the safety domain (mean 8.9 goals, SD = 7.60).

DISCUSSION

GP4C was not superior to R4C; however, both platforms demonstrated improved outcomes. Findings highlight a health system's successful development and implementation of online dementia caregiver platforms. Improving digital technology for caregivers requires studies with larger populations and longitudinal outcomes.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04540198

Highlights

• Online platforms can be useful in the goal of supporting family caregivers with educational and skills-training material to reduce the negative consequences of caregiving and to improve positive feelings of caregiving.
• Rules-based conditional logic was successfully integrated into a Web-based platform to tailor evidence-based strategies to an individual's unique caregiving context and needs.
• Health systems are in an ideal position to adopt online technologies that provide education, skills training, and support for family caregivers of persons living with dementia.