A text message intervention to support latino dementia family caregivers (CuidaTEXT): feasibility study

Abstract

doi: medRxiv preprint NOTE: This preprint reports new research that has not been certified by peer review and should not be used to guide clinical practice.

Analysis of Engagement withCuidaTEXT, a Text Message Intervention for Dementia Caregiver Support among Latinos

“…We have described the details about the design, procedures, and participants of this study in a previous publication. 18 In short, we enrolled 24 informal caregivers in August 2021 using a variety of recruitment techniques including research registries, community promotion, and advertisements in national organization registries and websites, outreach at health fairs, and word of mouth.…”

“…The research team published the description of baseline characteristics of the sample previously. 18 We also collected cell phone characteristics in the baseline survey, which include questions developed by the team about whether the participant was the account holder of the cellphone (yes/no), the self-reported number of SMS text messages sent and received by the participants per day previous to the program, whether participants share the cellphone with family members (yes/no), the frequency with which participants check their cell phones for messages (5-item Likert scale ranging from every 1-4 minutes to less than once a day), whether participants had ever signed up for SMS text message reminders (yes/no), and whether participants use Wi-Fi, data or none to access internet on their phones.…”

“…An in-depth description of the intervention and its development has been previously reported. 18,19 The intervention was designed from the beginning with and for Latino caregivers with the support of a team including bicultural, bilingual researchers, and informed by the Stress Process Framework and Social Cognitive Theory. 20,21 These messages include the identification of barriers to desired behaviors (e.g., problem solving, relaxation techniques, or exercising), setting of realistic goals, encouragement of gradual practice to increase healthy behaviors, integration of testimonials and videos to promote vicarious learning, integration of praise, social support, and education to increase dementia knowledge.…”

“…To achieve this aim, we analyzed data from our feasibility study. 18 We hypothesized that a higher engagement with CuidaTEXT would be associated with increases in caregiver satisfaction with the intervention and decreases in depressive symptoms. A higher engagement with the program might help address a higher number of unmet needs and increase caregivers' sense of support, which may, in turn, increase caregiver satisfaction with the intervention and decrease depressive symptoms.…”

“…To our knowledge there is only one text message intervention to provide ADRD caregiver support, CuidaTEXT. 18,19 This intervention specifically targeted Latino caregivers, and has shown promising feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy by providing crucial resources, information and emotional support to this specific population. 18 While waiting to explore the fully-powered efficacy of this intervention, the potential of caregiver engagement with ADRD caregiver support text message interventions is still to be exploited.…”