PPA Tele-Savvy: A Pilot Study of an Online Intervention for Caregivers of Persons Living With PPA

Purpose

The primary goal of this pilot project is to adapt an evidence-informed on-line psychoeducation program (Tele-Savvy) to address the unique challenges facing informal caregivers of those living with PPA and geared toward achieving caregiver mastery in this population.

Conditions

  • Primary Progressive Aphasia
  • Caregiver Burnout

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Over 18 Years
Eligible Genders
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No

Inclusion Criteria

Aim 1: Informal (family or friends) caregivers of persons living with or deceased from PPA. Age 18 or over Providing or have provided at least 2 hours per day of unpaid assistance, on average, for a person in the early-middle stage of PPA. Must have access to a computer with adequate internet connection. Able to use a videoconferencing platform and receive email. Participants must be able to read, speak and understand English and have no uncorrectable vision or hearing deficits that might impede participation. Aim 2: Informal (family or friends) caregivers of persons living with PPA. Age 18 or over Providing at least 2 hours per day of unpaid assistance, on average, for a person in the early-middle stage of PPA. Must have access to a computer with adequate internet connection. Able to use a videoconferencing platform and receive email. Must be able to read, speak and understand English and have no uncorrectable vision or hearing deficits that might impede participation.

Exclusion Criteria

Study Design

Phase
N/A
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
N/A
Intervention Model
Single Group Assignment
Primary Purpose
Supportive Care
Masking
None (Open Label)

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Other
PPA Tele-Savvy Pilot Intervention
The Tele-Savvy program is comprised of weekly, two-hour interactive classes, over seven consecutive weeks, the same duration as the proposed intervention. Tele-Savvy consists of educational instruction, video and in-class exercises that engage participants on a functional level. Course material was designed to provide informal caregivers with the knowledge, skills, and attitude needed to carry out their role as a caregiver for a person living with dementia (PLWD). Course learning objectives include: 1) introduction to dementing disorder; 2) caregiver self-care; 3) the anchors of contented involvement; 4) levels of thinking and performance; 5) strengthening the family as a resource for caregiving; and 6) review and integration of the previous sections.
  • Behavioral: PPA Tele-Savvy Pilot Intervention
    We will engage PPA caregivers in the process of adapting the existing Tele-Savvy program to fit their needs and then pilot test the adapted PPA Tele-Savvy program.

Recruiting Locations

More Details

NCT ID
NCT04412083
Status
Completed
Sponsor
Northwestern University

Detailed Description

The primary goal of this pilot project is to develop an evidence-informed on-line psychoeducation program (Tele-Savvy) based on the well-established Savvy Caregiver program to address the unique challenges facing informal caregivers of those living with Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA) and to help these caregivers achieve mastery. Key elements of the adaptation process are to identify and adapt mechanistic elements of the Tele-Savvy intervention (increasing self-efficacy, mastery of new skills, increased knowledge of disease-specific symptoms and trajectories, problem-solving skills). We will engage PPA caregivers in the process of adapting the existing Tele-Savvy program to fit their needs and then pilot test the adapted PPA Tele-Savvy program.