Conectando Corazones Intervention in Family Caregivers of an Older Adult With Dementia

Summary

The objective of this randomized clinical trial, with pre-test and post-test measurements in an experimental group and a comparison group, was to evaluate the effect of the systematized nursing intervention "Conectando Corazones" (Connecting Hearts) in strengthening the exercise of the family caregiver role among family caregivers of older adults with dementia, using the Family Caregiver Role Adoption instrument for caregivers of persons with chronic illness.

Main Hypothesis:

Is there a difference in family caregiver role performance between family caregivers of older adults with dementia who receive a systematized nursing intervention and those who receive conventional care? The researchers compared the exercise of the role (responses, organization, and tasks) of family caregivers of older adults with dementia, before and after receiving either the systematized nursing intervention or conventional care.

Participants were required to:

* Undergo characterization, in both the experimental and comparison groups, based on the Caregiving Dyad Characterization Form (GCPC-UN-D), designed by the Chronic Patient Care Research Group of the Universidad Nacional de Colombia.
* Complete the pre-test simultaneously in both groups (measurement of family caregiver role performance using the ROL instrument).
* The experimental group received the systematized nursing intervention to strengthen the exercise of the family caregiver role, consisting of 3 modules with 2 sessions each. Sessions were 2 hours long, for a total of 6 sessions (12 hours); 3 in-person sessions and 3 independent work sessions (with materials and educational aids provided).
* The comparison group received conventional care.
* Both groups then simultaneously completed the post-test using the same instrument.

Conditions

• Dementia
• Weakness in the Exercise of the Family Caregiver Role of Older Adults With Dementia

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Conectando corazones

"Conectando Corazones" is a systematized nursing intervention grounded in Imogene King's Theory of Goal Attainment and the ROL instrument framework, aimed at strengthening the family caregiver role in caregivers of older adults with dementia by addressing the personal, interpersonal, and social systems involved in caregiving. The intervention targets the caregiver's tasks, responses, and organization related to the caregiving role, seeking to preserve or improve role performance through strengthening caregiving conditions, personal capacity, support networks, and goal attainment in the caregiving experience. It was delivered in a HyFlex format (in-person and/or virtual, with digital tele-support), structured in 3 modules of 2 sessions each (6 sessions total: 3 in-person and 3 independent work sessions), 2 hours per session, for a total of 12 hours. Sessions were delivered at a rate of one module per week over a 4-week period.

OTHER

Conventional intervention

Basic telephone-based support service for family caregivers of older adults with dementia, aimed at facilitating access to available biopsychosocial and spiritual support services according to caregiver needs. The service provides basic guidance to help caregivers manage care-related tasks, including clarifying therapeutic guidelines given by neurologists or other treating therapists, and answering basic questions about oral medication administration, medical exams, specialized appointments, administrative procedures, or general recommendations. Components are delivered via telephone and WhatsApp. Caregivers referred to available support services are informed of where to go in person if needed. Phone calls are received 5 days per week during business hours (8:00-12:00 and 14:00-18:00), and WhatsApp messages are sent during morning hours.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Universidad de la Sabana

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Jasleidy Lasso Conde, MSN · Universidad de la Sabana

• Clara B Sanchez Herrera, MSN · Universidad de la Sabana

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-09-02

Primary Completion

2025-10-10

Completion

2025-10-10

Countries

• Colombia

Study Locations