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Comparing Structured Retrieval Practice and Reading-Based Education for Dementia Caregivers

A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Care Partner-Centered Structured Retrieval Practice Intervention for Dementia Caregiver Education and Well-Being

Who can join

As published by the study on ClinicalTrials.gov. "Not stated" means the study hasn't said — ask the study team.

Age
50 Years and older
Sex
All sexes
Healthy volunteers
Not accepted
Compensation
Not stated

Other requirements are listed under Eligibility below. Only the study team can confirm whether you can join.

What to expect

No one can promise a trial will help you personally — that is what the research is trying to find out.

What participation involves

Not stated in the study description — ask the study team about visits and procedures.

Compensation
Not stated
  • Study-related exams and procedures are typically provided at no cost. This is how many trials work in general — confirm the details for this study with the study team.
  • Participants are monitored closely by the research team throughout the study.
  • Some participants may receive access to an investigational treatment, which is still being studied.
  • Your participation helps researchers learn whether this approach could help future patients.

About this study

In plain language

This study compares two ways to learn caregiving and self-care skills: recalling information many times with feedback, or reading. It is for unpaid caregivers age 50 or older who help someone with dementia and have moderate to high stress. The study will check learning, caregiving confidence, stress, and how caregivers view dementia-related behaviors.

Caring for a person living with dementia can be stressful, and many family caregivers report limited access to effective educational resources for managing dementia-related behaviors and caregiver stress. This study will evaluate a learning-based educational intervention called structured retrieval practice (SRP), which is designed to improve long-term learning by encouraging repeated recall of information with feedback. Informal dementia caregivers will be randomly assigned to learn caregiving and self-care strategies using either SRP or a traditional reading-based educational approach. Participants will be assessed on their knowledge, confidence in caregiving skills, stress levels, and perceptions of dementia-related behavioral symptoms over multiple follow-up periods. The study will also examine whether the SRP intervention is feasible and acceptable for caregivers in real-world settings.

Compensation is read from the study's own description and may be missing — always confirm with the study team.

Eligibility

Who can join

  • You are age 50 or older.
  • You are an unpaid caregiver for a family member or friend with dementia.
  • You give that person ongoing help or support.
  • You have moderate to high stress, with a score of 14 or higher on the PSS-10 stress survey.
  • You can speak and read English.
  • You can complete study activities in person or from home.
  • You have a computer, tablet, or smartphone with internet access.
  • You are willing and able to give informed consent, meaning you understand and agree to join the study.

Who can't join

  • You are a paid or professional caregiver, such as a home health aide.
  • You are younger than 50.
  • You have low stress, with a PSS-10 stress survey score below 14.
  • The person you help shows no signs of memory or thinking problems on a dementia screening interview (AD8 score below 2).
  • Problems with thinking, senses such as sight or hearing, or technology keep you from completing study activities.
  • You do not meet the study's screening rules or do not give informed consent.

Simplified for readability. The official criteria below are what the study team uses.

Official eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria: * Adults aged 50 years or older * Informal (unpaid) caregiver for a family member or friend living with dementia * Providing ongoing assistance or support to the individual with dementia * Reports moderate to high perceived stress, defined as a score of 14 or higher on the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) * Able to speak and read English * Able to complete study procedures either in person or remotely * Has access to a computer, tablet, or smartphone with internet access * Willing and able to provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Paid or professional caregivers (e.g., home health aides) * Caregivers younger than 50 years of age * Caregivers reporting low perceived stress (PSS-10 score below 14) * Caregivers providing assistance to an individual without evidence of cognitive - impairment, as determined by a dementia screening interview (AD8 score \< 2) * Inability to complete study procedures due to cognitive, sensory, or technological limitations * Failure to meet study screening requirements or provide informed consent

Study sites (1)

VA