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Purpose

The purpose of the present investigation is to test the efficacy of a virtual, brief (6 sessions) dyadic (patient and care-partner together) intervention to prevent chronic emotional distress in dyads where one person is diagnosed with Young Onset Dementia (YOD). Through this study, we seek to address the unmet need of preventing chronic emotional distress in YOD dyads through a feasible, acceptable and credible program, and ideally enhance resiliency and improve wellbeing and quality of life in both members of the dyad.

Condition

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Between 18 Years and 65 Years
Eligible Sex
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No

Inclusion Criteria

  • Between the ages of 18-65 at the time of enrollment [both patient and care-partner] - Diagnosis of young-onset dementia (FTD, PPA, AD, PCA, etc.) with symptom onset prior to age 65 [patient] - A designated care-partner willing and interested to participate [both patient and care-partner] - Received YOD diagnosis in the past 6 month [patient] - English fluency and literacy [both patient and care-partner] - Cognitive ability to understand study and research protocol in order to consent to study participation per referring neurologist [both patient and care-partner] - Patient and/or caregiver exhibit emotional distress on screening (using HADS D and/or HADS A scores > 7)

Exclusion Criteria

  • An additional, terminal diagnosis such as cancer - Lack of access to internet and/or a device with a camera - Current untreated or unstable severe mental health conditions like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or active substance use

Study Design

Phase
N/A
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention Model
Parallel Assignment
Primary Purpose
Treatment
Masking
Double (Participant, Outcomes Assessor)

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Experimental
Experimental: Experimental Patient-Caregiver Dyads 		There will be 6 sessions delivered via live video using Zoom. Content will be primarily skills.
  • Behavioral: Resilient Together-YOD
    This is a 6 session dyadic (patient and spousal care-partner) intervention that teaches resiliency and interpersonal communication skills early after YOD diagnoses. It aims to decrease heightened symptoms of depression and anxiety among dyads to help them engage in important decisions around long term care-planning and optimize adjustment. The goal is to equip dyads with the necessary skills to cope and engage in meaningful, challenging conversations around care-planning, symptom deterioration, work/family planning to improve well-being in both members of the dyad.
    Other names:
    • Skills-based intervention
Active Comparator
Control Patient-Caregiver Dyads 		There will be 6 sessions delivered via live video using Zoom. Content will be primarily educational.
  • Behavioral: Health Enhancement Program-YOD
    This is a 6 session program that will deliver educational information to dyads and will mimic the dose and duration of Resilient Together. The program will not teach any individual and dyadic interpersonal skills, but will contain education on psychological distress and healthy behaviors. Sessions will also be delivered virtually.
    Other names:
    • Educational program

Recruiting Locations

Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH)
Boston 4930956, Massachusetts 6254926 02114
Contact:
Ana-Maria Vranceanu, PhD
617-724-4977
avranceanu@mgh.harvard.edu

More Details

Status
Recruiting
Sponsor
Massachusetts General Hospital

Study Contact

Ana-Maria Vranceanu, PhD
617-724-4977
avranceanu@mgh.harvard.edu

Notice

Study information shown on this site is derived from ClinicalTrials.gov (a public registry operated by the National Institutes of Health). The listing of studies provided is not certain to be all studies for which you might be eligible. Furthermore, study eligibility requirements can be difficult to understand and may change over time, so it is wise to speak with your medical care provider and individual research study teams when making decisions related to participation.