Comparing Structured Retrieval Practice and Reading-Based Education for Dementia Caregivers
A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Care Partner-Centered Structured Retrieval Practice Intervention for Dementia Caregiver Education and Well-Being
Who can join
Ages 50 and older · All sexes
Full eligibility criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Adults aged 50 years or older * Informal (unpaid) caregiver for a family member or friend living with dementia * Providing ongoing assistance or support to the individual with dementia * Reports moderate to high perceived stress, defined as a score of 14 or higher on the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) * Able to speak and read English * Able to complete study procedures either in person or remotely * Has access to a computer, tablet, or smartphone with internet access * Willing and able to provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Paid or professional caregivers (e.g., home health aides) * Caregivers younger than 50 years of age * Caregivers reporting low perceived stress (PSS-10 score below 14) * Caregivers providing assistance to an individual without evidence of cognitive - impairment, as determined by a dementia screening interview (AD8 score \< 2) * Inability to complete study procedures due to cognitive, sensory, or technological limitations * Failure to meet study screening requirements or provide informed consent
About the study
Caring for a person living with dementia can be stressful, and many family caregivers report limited access to effective educational resources for managing dementia-related behaviors and caregiver stress. This study will evaluate a learning-based educational intervention called structured retrieval practice (SRP), which is designed to improve long-term learning by encouraging repeated recall of information with feedback. Informal dementia caregivers will be randomly assigned to learn caregiving and self-care strategies using either SRP or a traditional reading-based educational approach. Participants will be assessed on their knowledge, confidence in caregiving skills, stress levels, and perceptions of dementia-related behavioral symptoms over multiple follow-up periods. The study will also examine whether the SRP intervention is feasible and acceptable for caregivers in real-world settings.
What is being tested
- Structured Retrieval Practice (behavioral)
- Reading-Based Education (behavioral)
Sponsor: Virginia Wesleyan University · Participants: 65 · Started: Oct 3, 2025
Contact the study team
- Robert Ariel, PhD · Phone: 757-455-3368
Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT07413406
Locations in the U.S.
| Virginia | Virginia Wesleyan University, Virginia Beach |
Conditions
From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 30, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.