Feasibility of a pocket-PC based cognitive control intervention in dementia spousal caregivers. (2nd June 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Callan, Judith A.; Siegle, Greg J.; Abebe, Kaleab; Black, Beverly; Martire, Lynn; Schulz, Richard; Reynolds, Charles; Hall, Martica H.
• Is Part Of: Aging & mental health. Volume 20:Number 6(2016)
• Page Start: 575
• Page End: 582
• Publication Date: 2016-06-02
• Subjects: dementia spousal caregivers -- neurobehavioral intervention -- cognitive control training -- handheld computer intervention; Older people -- Mental health -- Periodicals; Geriatric psychiatry -- Periodicals; Older people -- Psychology -- Periodicals; Aging -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Aged -- psychology -- periodicals; Mental Health -- periodicals; Mental Health Services -- periodicals; Aging -- psychology -- periodicals; Aged, 80 and over -- psychology -- periodicals; 618.97689
• DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2015.1031635
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1360-7863

Abstract

Abstract : Objectives: Spousal caregivers of patients with dementia are in need of interventions to bolster their quality of life. Computer-based, self-administered cognitive training is an innovative approach to target spousal caregiver distress and coping. We tested the feasibility of administering one such intervention with minimal clinician intervention. Methods: Twenty-seven elderly adults (>64 years old), who each were the primary caregiver for a spouse with dementia, were recruited through the Memory Disorders Clinic of the Alzheimer Disease Research Center in Pittsburgh, PA. Spousal caregivers were instructed to use a handheld computer version of the Adaptive Paced Visual Serial Attention Task (APVSAT) at least three times per week for four weeks as part of a larger caregiver intervention trial (P01 AG020677). Feasibility was explored by examining the frequency of APVSAT usage. Results: Results suggest that self-directed cognitive training is feasible for spousal caregivers of dementia patients. The mean usage of the APVSAT was 42 (SD = 28.58). Performance increased from the beginning to the end of the trial, and usage was not affected by stress, worry, or poor sleep quality. Conclusion: Findings suggest the potential utility of cognitive training via handheld computer for spousal caregivers of dementia patients to improve problem solving, coping and adaptation, planning, and persevering with goal-directed tasks.