What is the mechanism of action of this treatment?

Caregiver training and support programs, such as Savvy Caregiver Express™ and Savvy Caregiver Program, work by providing structured training sessions that equip caregivers with practical skills and knowledge to manage caregiving tasks more effectively. These programs also offer emotional support and coping strategies to handle stress. By enhancing caregivers' competence and reducing feelings of isolation, these interventions can significantly alleviate burnout. This is crucial for Caregiver Burnout patients as it directly addresses the root causes of their stress, improving their well-being and the quality of care they provide.

What side effects are associated with this type of intervention?

Caregiver training and support programs, such as Savvy Caregiver Express™ and Savvy Caregiver Program, generally have minimal side effects. Participants may experience emotional discomfort when discussing stressful caregiving experiences or personal challenges. Additionally, the time commitment required for these programs can sometimes add to the caregiver's burden. However, these interventions are designed to provide long-term benefits by reducing stress and improving coping skills, which often outweigh the temporary discomfort.

What prior FDA approvals exist?

There are no specific FDA-approved drugs for the treatment of caregiver burnout. However, related treatments for conditions such as stress and depression, which caregivers might experience, include antidepressants like SSRIs and SNRIs. Programs similar to the Savvy Caregiver Express™ and Savvy Caregiver Program focus on caregiver training and support, which are non-pharmacologic interventions aimed at improving caregivers' skills and reducing their stress through structured education and support sessions.

What other types of research exist?

Promising alternatives to Savvy Caregiver Express™ and Savvy Caregiver Program for caregiver burnout include: 1) Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programs, which have shown efficacy in reducing stress and improving emotional regulation. 2) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) tailored for caregivers, focusing on coping strategies and problem-solving skills. 3) Web-based and telehealth interventions, which provide flexible and accessible support options. 4) Multimodal interventions like the Reasoning and Rehabilitation 2 CBT program, which address multiple symptomatic areas such as attentional control, emotional regulation, and problem-solving skills.

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Caregiver Support Groups for Psychological Distress (SoCalSavvy Trial)

N/A

Waitlist Available

Research Sponsored by University of Southern California

Eligibility Criteria Checklist

Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial

Must have

Be older than 18 years old

Timeline

Screening 3 weeks

Treatment Varies

Follow Up up to 7 months

Awards & highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial tests two programs designed to help caregivers of people with dementia. One program has fewer sessions, and the other has more. Both aim to teach caregivers better skills and provide emotional support through group meetings.

Who is the study for?

This trial is for English-speaking adults aged 18 or older in Southern California who are caring for someone with dementia. It's not suitable for caregivers with sensory or physical conditions that prevent them from participating in group activities.

What is being tested?

The study compares two versions of the Savvy Caregiver Program: a shorter, 3-week version called Savvy Caregiver Express™ and the original, longer 6-week program. The effectiveness will be measured immediately after, at 3 months and at 6 months post-intervention.

What are the potential side effects?

Since this trial involves educational group sessions rather than medical treatments, there are no direct side effects like those associated with medications. However, participants may experience emotional discomfort discussing their experiences.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~ up to 7 months

Screening ~ 3 weeks

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~up to 7 months

This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and up to 7 months for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.

Primary study objectives

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7)

Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)

Revised Memory and Behavior Problems Checklist (RMBPC)

Secondary study objectives

Caregiver Competence Scales

Family Members Activities of Daily Living (ADL)

Family Members Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL)

+2 more

Other study objectives

Caregiver Satisfaction

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

2Treatment groups

Active Control

Group I: Savvy ExpressActive Control1 Intervention

Savvy Express, 3 weekly sessions, group treatment, addressing educational, informational, and psychosocial issues and community resources.

Group II: Savvy Caregiver ProgramActive Control1 Intervention

Savvy Caregiver Program, 6 weekly sessions, group treatment, addressing educational, informational, and psychosocial issues and community resources.

Do I qualify?Apply below to find out

Research Highlights

Information in this section is not a recommendation. We encourage patients to speak with their healthcare team when evaluating any treatment decision.

Mechanism Of Action

Side Effect Profile

Prior Approvals

Other Research

Caregiver training and support programs, such as Savvy Caregiver Express™ and Savvy Caregiver Program, work by providing structured training sessions that equip caregivers with practical skills and knowledge to manage caregiving tasks more effectively. These programs also offer emotional support and coping strategies to handle stress. By enhancing caregivers' competence and reducing feelings of isolation, these interventions can significantly alleviate burnout. This is crucial for Caregiver Burnout patients as it directly addresses the root causes of their stress, improving their well-being and the quality of care they provide.