NCT03506945

Brief Summary

Caregivers suffer great amounts of distress that significantly impacts their mental and physical well-being, yet caregivers' access to quality, evidence-based care is currently very limited. The public health significance of the proposed study is that our internet and mobile-based web intervention will (1) significantly reduce caregiver distress and improve caregivers' overall well-being, and (2) dramatically increase caregivers' access to high quality, evidence-based care at relatively low cost.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
184

participants targeted

Target at P75+ for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Nov 2018

Longer than P75 for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

April 6, 2018

Completed
18 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

April 24, 2018

Completed
6 months until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

November 1, 2018

Completed
5.6 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

May 31, 2024

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

May 31, 2024

Completed
1.4 years until next milestone

Results Posted

Study results publicly available

October 24, 2025

Completed
Last Updated

October 24, 2025

Status Verified

September 1, 2025

Enrollment Period

5.6 years

First QC Date

April 6, 2018

Results QC Date

September 22, 2025

Last Update Submit

September 29, 2025

Conditions

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale--Revised (CESD-R)

    20 item scale measuring Depressive Symptoms. Each item rated on a range of 0-4 and items are summed to create a total score (Range = 0-80). Higher scores denote greater depressive symptoms.

    15-months

Secondary Outcomes (3)

  • Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS)

    15-months

  • Blood Pressure

    15-months

  • Dementia Quality of Life Scale for Older Family Carers (DQoLOC)

    15-months

Study Arms (2)

mPEP

EXPERIMENTAL

Behavioral Activation Therapy - Increase engagement in pleasant activities as a mechanism for reducing distress and improving overall well-being. Participants will use an online web tool to select and schedule activities they deem will be rewarding and fulfilling. They will then track their engagement in these activities on a weekly basis.

Behavioral: mPEP

Bibliotherapy

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Bibliotherapy - Develop improved coping and problem-solving skills. Participants will receive bibliotherapy handouts describing various means of managing their distress and solving caregiving-related problems.

Behavioral: Bibliotherapy

Interventions

mPEPBEHAVIORAL

Behavioral Activation Therapy

mPEP
BibliotherapyBEHAVIORAL

Provide educational material on coping strategies pertinent to caregivers

Bibliotherapy

Eligibility Criteria

Age40 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersYes
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • English-speaking
  • Spouse or Child Caregiver of a loved-one with Alzheimer's Disease or Related Dementia (ADRD)
  • Aged 40 years or older at the time of enrollment
  • Providing at least 20 hours of in-home care per week
  • Screening positive for mild depressive symptoms (CESD-R≥16).

You may not qualify if:

  • Diagnosed with a terminal illness
  • Demonstrates cognitive impairment (MMSE\<27)
  • Severe hypertension (\>200/120 mm Hg)
  • Participating in another active caregiver intervention (other than support groups)
  • Receiving psychiatric care for serious mental illnesses such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

University of California San Diego

La Jolla, California, 92093, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

DepressionStress, Psychological

Interventions

Bibliotherapy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavioral SymptomsBehavior

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

RehabilitationAftercareContinuity of Patient CarePatient CareTherapeuticsPsychotherapyBehavioral Disciplines and Activities

Results Point of Contact

Title
Brent Mausbach
Organization
University of California San Diego

Study Officials

  • Brent T Mausbach, PhD

    University of California, San Diego

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Publication Agreements

PI is Sponsor Employee
No
Restrictive Agreement
No

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
SINGLE
Who Masked
OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Professor of Psychiatry

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

April 6, 2018

First Posted

April 24, 2018

Study Start

November 1, 2018

Primary Completion

May 31, 2024

Study Completion

May 31, 2024

Last Updated

October 24, 2025

Results First Posted

October 24, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-09

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will share

Research data which documents, supports and validates research findings will be made available after the main findings from the final research data set have been accepted for publication. Such research data will be redacted to prevent the disclosure of personal identifiers. The PI will determine who is authorized to have copies of what types of data and when the data will be available. Publicizing availability of the data after main results from the study have been published, and providing a USB or CD containing the data to individuals who express interest, will ensure that maximum data sharing occurs. We will make the data and associated documentation available to users under a data-sharing agreement that provides for: (1) a commitment to use the data only for research purposes and not to identify any individual participant; (2) a commitment to secure the data using appropriate computer technology; and (3) a commitment to destroy or return the data after analyses are completed.

Shared Documents
STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP
Time Frame
Within 12 months of close of the trial
Access Criteria
The PI will determine who is authorized to have copies of what types of data and when the data will be available. Publicizing availability of the data after main results from the study have been published, and providing a USB or CD containing the data to individuals who express interest, will ensure that maximum data sharing occurs.

Locations