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Integrative Therapeutic Programme to Regulate Expressed Emotions Among Informal Caregivers of People With Dementia

ClinicalTrials.gov IDNCT07305415

PhaseNA

Enrollment56

SponsorThe University of Hong Kong

Age18 Years

SexALL

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Conditions studied

BPSD (Behavioral and Psycological Symptoms of Dementia), Expressed Emotion, Depressive Symptom, Caregiving Stress

About this study

The dual-modal (face-to-face and online approaches), client-customized Caregivers Of dementia Processing Emotions (COPE) programme aims to 1. reduce caregivers' Expressed Emotion (EE), 2. reduce caregivers' depressive symptoms, 3. reduce the behaviourally interactive social dynamic of maladaptation (i.e., dysfunctional dyadic relationship and quality of care), and 4. improve caregivers' perceived stress from PwD's Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD). Researchers will compare COPE to a control group (standard therapy) to examine how effective the COPE programme is. Participants will take part in: Pretest prior to COPE implementation Post-test after COPE completion Follow up test in 3 months after COPE completion

Interventions

Behavioral: Caregivers Of dementia Processing Emotions (COPE) — This is the first study to develop an easily accessible and feasible intervention programme, namely the Caregivers Of dementia Processing Emotions (COPE), to primarily reduce expressed emotion (EE) in family caregivers of PwD via processing one's attributional biases, dysregulated emotion, dysfunctional social dynamics using an integrative therapy. By displacing these negative thoughts and emotions, the integrative therapy has great potential to reduce the depressive symptoms in caregivers and thus mitigate their perceived stress from BPSD. In addition, the interactive social dynamics in the dementia caregiving context can be improved.

Primary outcomes

Family Attitude Scale- Chinese Version (From enrollment to the end of intervention at 7 weeks and end of study at 20 weeks.)

Eligibility information

Inclusion Criteria: * (1) With a high level of EE as indicated by a cut-off score of 35 or above on the Family Attitude Scale (Chinese version; FAS-C) * (2) Provides care at least 4 hours per day * (3) Consent to participate * (4) No acute psychiatric illness Exclusion Criteria: * (1) With a score below 35 on the Family Attitude Scale (Chinese version; FAS-C) * (2) Provides care no more than 4 hours per day * (3) Does not consent to participate * (4) With acute psychiatric illness.

Study locations

University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Before you participate: Varda Clinical is an independent discovery tool, not the study sponsor or a medical provider. Eligibility can only be determined by the official study team. Discuss potential risks and benefits with a qualified healthcare professional.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov. Record last refreshed by Varda Clinical: 2026-09-27.