Depression in family caregivers of relatives with Alzheimer's Disorder and related dementias is a serious public health problem. This is a randomized, controlled, single-blind pilot clinical trial of depressed caregivers, to determine the efficacy and mechanisms of group therapy for depressed dementia caregivers.

Brief Title

Group Therapy for Depressed Dementia Caregivers

Official Title

Group Therapy for Depressed Caregivers of Alzheimer's Disorder and Related Dementias

Brief Summary

Depression in family caregivers of relatives with Alzheimer's Disorder and related dementias <br /> is a serious public health problem. This is a randomized, controlled, single-blind pilot <br /> clinical trial of depressed caregivers, to determine the efficacy and mechanisms of group <br /> therapy for depressed dementia caregivers.

Detailed Description

The trial was designed to measure clinical outcomes including depressive symptoms and other
secondary outcomes of caregivers of persons living with dementia. It also included magnetic
resonance imagery scanning at baseline (prior to study group) and post group to identify
candidate mechanisms of effects.

Notes related to outcome measurement. On 05.10.2017 (prior to participant enrollment), all
secondary outcomes were approved by the UCSF IRB #16-20163. It was noted in the IRB that the
primary outcome timepoint was to be obtained 4 weeks after the first group session. Due to
magnetic resonance imaging scanning scheduling constraints, which occurred at the same time
as the 4 weeks visit, the outcome could not be exactly four weeks post the first group
session but was collected approximately at this time.

On 05.10.2017 (prior to participant enrollment), three-month post group secondary outcomes
were also approved.

Outcome Measures

Outcome measures are the tests that investigators perform to prove whether or not a treatment being tested in a clinical trial is having any effect.

Inclusion Criteria:

Endorse clinically relevant baseline depressive symptoms Primary caregiver for a relative
with dementia

Exclusion Criteria:

Age < 45 Meditation / guided imagery practice more than twice per week Ideas of harming
relative with dementia Current violence towards relative with dementia Adult Protective
Services report on file Primary psychiatric disorder other than unipolar major depression
Cognitive impairment on the part of the caregiver (Mini Mental State Examination score less
than 24) Unstable medical illness Planned surgery Active drug or alcohol abuse Inability to
understand written and oral English.