Acceptance and treatment effects of an internet-delivered cognitive-behavioral intervention for family caregivers of people with dementia: A randomized-controlled trial.

Objectives: The study evaluated the efficacy of an internet-delivered cognitive-behavioral intervention for caregivers of people with dementia and examined acceptance of program characteristics.

Method: Thirty-nine caregivers (M  = 62.11 ± 9.67, 78.4% female) were enrolled in a 2 × 3 randomized-controlled trial (RCT) that compared an intervention and wait-list control group. A cognitive-behavioral intervention program was adapted for delivery via an internet platform. Participants exchanged eight weekly messages with a therapist.

Results: Treatment satisfaction and acceptance of the program were high. Well-being increased over the intervention duration and intervention group participants were better able to cope with the anticipated death of the care recipient and utilized more psychosocial resources after the intervention ended. Effects were not maintained until follow-up and there were no treatment effects for depression and burden of care.

Conclusions: Internet-delivered cognitive-behavioral interventions are suitable for caregivers. A larger RCT needs to investigate possible combinations of classic and internet-delivered programs and confirm efficacy.