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Caregiver Stress and Sleep Study
Who can join
Ages 55 and older · All sexes · Healthy volunteers welcome
Full eligibility criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 55 years or older. * Provide at least 15 hours/week of unpaid care to a patient with a dementia diagnosis. * Reporting stress or strain delivering care * No or stable pharmacotherapy for depression * Meets screening definition for having morning activation difficulty or a definite morning type per the Composite Morningness Questionnaire (CMQ) Exclusion Criteria: * Unsafe or unable to undergo MRI * Active Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for mood or insomnia * Probable dementia diagnosis * Deadly illness or plans to leave the study area * Current active substance use disorder
About the study
The purpose of this research study is to better understand how stress, sleep and activity might impact caregivers' mood and brain health. This study includes a randomized experimental component where therapists will systematically deliver one of two evidence-based talk-therapy treatments. The aim is to evaluate effects on meaningful health-relevant measures including morning activation levels, depression symptoms, rumination, and aspects brain connectivity previously linked with depression. Participants will complete surveys about their caregiving experiences, health, and mood, undergo an MRI, and wear an actigraphy watch that measures activity levels throughout the day and when sleeping.
What is being tested
- Morning Action Plan Execution (behavioral)
- Activity Strategy-based Session with Therapist (behavioral)
- Attention-based Session with Therapist (behavioral)
- Advance sleep-wake time (behavioral)
Sponsor: University of Pittsburgh · Participants: 120 · Started: Jul 15, 2022
Contact the study team
- Sara Sellars, MA · Phone: 412-246-5963
Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT05219955
Locations in the U.S.
| Pennsylvania | UPMC Western Behavioral Health, Pittsburgh |
Conditions
From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 30, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.