RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT07305415

Integrative Therapeutic Programme to Regulate Expressed Emotions Among Informal Caregivers of People With Dementia

Integrative Therapeutic Programme to Regulate Expressed Emotions Among Informal Caregivers of People With Dementia: a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Sponsor

The University of Hong Kong

Enrollment

56 participants

Start Date

Dec 20, 2025

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Depressive Symptom Caregiving Stress BPSD (Behavioral and Psycological Symptoms of Dementia)Expressed Emotion

Summary

The dual-modal (face-to-face and online approaches), client-customized Caregivers Of dementia Processing Emotions (COPE) programme aims to 1. reduce caregivers' Expressed Emotion (EE), 2. reduce caregivers' depressive symptoms, 3. reduce the behaviourally interactive social dynamic of maladaptation (i.e., dysfunctional dyadic relationship and quality of care), and 4. improve caregivers' perceived stress from PwD's Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD). Researchers will compare COPE to a control group (standard therapy) to examine how effective the COPE programme is. Participants will take part in: Pretest prior to COPE implementation Post-test after COPE completion Follow up test in 3 months after COPE completion

Eligibility

Min Age: 18 YearsMax Age: 100 Years

Plain Language Summary

Simplified for easier understanding

This study tests a structured therapy program to help family caregivers of people with dementia manage their emotional reactions — especially high levels of stress or criticism — which can affect the wellbeing of both the caregiver and the person they care for. **You may be eligible if...** - You are a family caregiver of someone with dementia - You score 35 or above on the Family Attitude Scale (a measure of emotional stress and expressed emotion) - You provide care for at least 4 hours per day - You do not have an acute psychiatric illness and are willing to participate **You may NOT be eligible if...** - Your score on the Family Attitude Scale is below 35 - You provide care for fewer than 4 hours per day - You have an active (acute) psychiatric illness Talk to your doctor to see if this trial is right for you.

This summary was AI-generated to explain the trial in plain language. It is not medical advice. Always discuss eligibility with your doctor before enrolling in a clinical trial.

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Interventions

BEHAVIORALCaregivers Of dementia Processing Emotions (COPE)

This is the first study to develop an easily accessible and feasible intervention programme, namely the Caregivers Of dementia Processing Emotions (COPE), to primarily reduce expressed emotion (EE) in family caregivers of PwD via processing one's attributional biases, dysregulated emotion, dysfunctional social dynamics using an integrative therapy. By displacing these negative thoughts and emotions, the integrative therapy has great potential to reduce the depressive symptoms in caregivers and thus mitigate their perceived stress from BPSD. In addition, the interactive social dynamics in the dementia caregiving context can be improved.