Technical Support Helps Caregivers in Dementia Studies
Author Information
Author(s): Tupper Emily, Irish Stephanie, Gothard Sarah, Zonker Christina, Mooney Aimee, Lindauer Allison
Primary Institution: Oregon Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University
Hypothesis
Can intentional technical support reduce barriers to participation in behavioral interventions for dementia caregivers?
Conclusion
Providing dedicated technical support during telehealth sessions can significantly reduce technical issues and improve participant retention.
Supporting Evidence
- Of 374 recorded sessions, 17% experienced technical difficulties, but most were resolved quickly.
- None of the participants who withdrew cited technical issues as a reason for leaving the study.
- 93% of participants reported good technical support during the sessions.
Takeaway
When helping caregivers of people with dementia, having someone to fix tech problems makes it easier for them to stay in the study.
Methodology
The study involved a telehealth intervention with technical support staff monitoring sessions to address any technical issues.
Limitations
Attrition rates were higher than in comparable studies, indicating potential challenges in participant retention.
Participant Demographics
Caregivers of persons with dementia, with 150 enrolled participants.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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