Can training community mental health nurses to support family carers reduce behavioural problems in dementia? An exploratory pragmatic randomised controlled trial.

Background: Community mental health nurses (CMHNs) are the backbone of specialist mental health services in the UK. This study evaluated the effects of training CMHNs in a systematic psychosocial intervention (PSI), to help family carers manage behavioural changes in their relative with dementia.

Method: One hundred and thirteen family carers received PSI support from a 'trained' (experimental), or a 'usual practice' (control) CMHN.