Supporting Caregivers of PWD and Identifying an Effective Intervention to Reduce Their Depressive Symptoms

Effective clinical management of chronic conditions like depressive symptoms of caregivers actually requires a sequence of interventions, each adapts to responses to prior interventions, and hence multiple intervention decisions throughout the whole careers of dementia caregivers. The main objective of this study is to build the capacity in the community to support the family caregivers of PWD and identify a 2-stage adaptive intervention involving behavioral activation and mindfulness practice to reduce their depressive symptoms using SMART design. A random sample of 272 family caregivers of PWD who meet the clinical criteria of subthreshold depression will be recruited. Participants will be assessed at T1 (baseline assessment); T2 (immediately after the first stage intervention); T3 (immediately after the 2nd stage intervention); T4 (3 months after the 2nd stage intervention); T5 (6 months after the 2nd stage intervention) with various health-related outcomes. The findings will inform us whether the SMART is efficient in identifying an effective adaptive intervention for reducing depressive symptoms. More importantly, will also show us how to alleviate the negative impact of caregiving in the family caregivers.

Inclusion Criteria:aged 18 or aboveFC of an individual with a confirmed medical diagnosis of any type of dementia who has been residing in the community;having been providing care for at least 3 months prior to recruitmentthe presence of mild-to- moderate depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) score 5 to 14).Exclusion Criteria:having participated in any structured mind-body intervention, cognitive therapy, or structured psychosocial intervention 6 months prior to recruitmenthaving acute psychiatric and medical comorbidities that are potentially life- threatening or would limit the caregivers' participation or adherence (e.g., suicidal ideation, acute psychosis).