Improving Self-Care of Behavioral Variant Frontotemporal Dementia Caregivers
United States43 participantsStarted 2020-12-16
Plain-language summary
The research study is being conducted to evaluate the efficacy of a virtual support intervention to reduce stress and poor self-care for caregivers of persons with behavioral variant Frontotemporal Degeneration (bvFTD) compared to receiving health information alone.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Informal caregiver providing care at least 8 hours/week
* Reporting poor self-care on screening (Health Self-Care Neglect Scale, score ≥ 2)
* Able to complete the protocol, e.g., adequate vision and hearing, English speaking
* Caregiver of a patient diagnosed bvFTD
Exclusion Criteria:
* Participation in another support randomized, controlled trial
* Untreated major psychiatric illness (Use of anti-anxiety/anti-depressant medicines is acceptable and will be adjusted in analysis if group imbalance is identified.)
* Caregiver with Cognitive Impairment based on Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (TICS) score \<25
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Change From Baseline in the Self-Care Inventory (SCI)
Timeframe: 6 months
2
Change From Baseline in Frontotemporal Dementia Rating Scale (FTDRS)