Effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral family intervention in reducing the burden of care in carers of patients with alzheimer's diseaseCitation Marriott. A., Donaldson, C., Tarrier, N. & Burns, A. (2000). Effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral family intervention in reducing the burden of care in carers of patients with alzheimer's disease. British Journal of Psychiatry, 176, 557-562.
Design Single-blind randomized controlled trial Participants The participants were N=42 Alzheimer's patient-caregiver dyads Outcome / Dependent Variables The following scales were used to assess their respective dependent variables: Carer Assessment, General Health Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory, Patient Assessment (DSM diagnosis), Mini Mental State Examination, Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia, MOUSEPAD, Clinical Dementia Rating. Procedure Family intervention comprised 3 components: caregiver education, stress management and coping skills training - spread over 14 sessions w/ 2 week intervals. 2 control groups - one where the caregiver was given an in-depth interview and one without the interview. Assessments were conducted post-treatment at 9 and at 12 months.
Outcomes Family intervention significantly reduced burden in caregivers and behavioral disturbance in patients. The opportunity to discuss aspects of the patient's behavior (interview control group) had little effect. Providing info alone to the caregiver had no effect on burden. Author Marriott. A., Donaldson, C., Tarrier, N. & Burns, A. | 
