Abstract
Background: Caregivers of people with dementia experience high stress levels. Network intervention can effectively improve the mental health of caregivers, which is a very feasible way for dementia caregivers who need help.
Objective: The aim was to explore the feasibility and effects of Wechat official account network interventionon family caregivers of people with dementia.
Methods: In a prospective, not-blinded, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial, 116 caregivers of people with dementia were randomized to either the intervention group, receiving Wechat official account network intervention for 3 months; or the control group, receiving the home visits by traditional community workers, telephone follow-up by hospital nurses. Various psychological outcomes of caregivers were assessed and compared at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and at the 3-month follow-up.
Results: There was no significant difference in the level of positive feelings, competence, and care satisfaction between the two groups before intervention (P > 0.05). The intervention group experienced a statistically significant increase in positive feelings levels (T=-3.21, P = 0.001), competence(T=-2.71, P = 0.007) and care satisfaction (T=-3.79, P <0.001) at the post-test. At the 3-month follow-up, the intervention group had a increase in positive feelings levels (T=-4.21, P = 0.000), competence (T=-3.52, P <0.001) and care satisfaction (T=-4.22, P <0.001) compared to the controls.
Conclusion: The findings support the feasibility and effects of Wechat official account network interventionon improving caregivers' positive feelings, competence, and the level of care satisfaction. A future study with a larger and more diverse sample should be developed to evaluate the longer-term effects and generalizability of the Wechat official account network intervention and the impacts on people with dementia.
Objective: The aim was to explore the feasibility and effects of Wechat official account network interventionon family caregivers of people with dementia.
Methods: In a prospective, not-blinded, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial, 116 caregivers of people with dementia were randomized to either the intervention group, receiving Wechat official account network intervention for 3 months; or the control group, receiving the home visits by traditional community workers, telephone follow-up by hospital nurses. Various psychological outcomes of caregivers were assessed and compared at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and at the 3-month follow-up.
Results: There was no significant difference in the level of positive feelings, competence, and care satisfaction between the two groups before intervention (P > 0.05). The intervention group experienced a statistically significant increase in positive feelings levels (T=-3.21, P = 0.001), competence(T=-2.71, P = 0.007) and care satisfaction (T=-3.79, P <0.001) at the post-test. At the 3-month follow-up, the intervention group had a increase in positive feelings levels (T=-4.21, P = 0.000), competence (T=-3.52, P <0.001) and care satisfaction (T=-4.22, P <0.001) compared to the controls.
Conclusion: The findings support the feasibility and effects of Wechat official account network interventionon improving caregivers' positive feelings, competence, and the level of care satisfaction. A future study with a larger and more diverse sample should be developed to evaluate the longer-term effects and generalizability of the Wechat official account network intervention and the impacts on people with dementia.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Research Square |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Not published / presented only - 20 Dec 2022 |
Keywords
- Caregiver
- Dementia
- Positivie feelings
- Wechat official account
- A randomized controlled trial