Ensemble programme for early intervention in informal caregivers of psychiatric adult patients: a protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Rexhaj, Shyhrete; Monteiro, Shadya; Golay, Philippe; Coloni-Terrapon, Claire; Wenger, Daniel; Favrod, Jérôme

doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2020-038781

Cited by 5 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 59 publications

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“…Multiple factors need to be considered in effective interventions for supporting informal caregivers, and researchers should specifically document the sample’s characteristics to discuss the results and apply them according to gender or cultural origin ( 2 , 25 ). Individualized interventions could be a good solution to support a wide range of relatives, considering their personal profiles, resources, needs, and social characteristics ( 2 , 26 ). It is also recommended to propose early support, especially for young people and siblings involved in informal caregiver roles ( 22 , 27 , 28 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Informal caregivers are key individuals in supporting patients with mental disorders during their recovery process. The usefulness of effective coping strategies to better manage caregiving roles has been reported in several studies; different interventions have been proposed by professionals and peer support to help informal caregivers ( 1 , 2 ). Despite the effectiveness of these interventions, the health status of informal caregivers is lower than that of the general population ( 3 ), and their quality of life and well-being are affected ( 4 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Despite the effectiveness of these interventions, the health status of informal caregivers is lower than that of the general population ( 3 ), and their quality of life and well-being are affected ( 4 ). Informal caregivers’ responsibilities are not always accompanied by support focused on their needs; interventions are most often patient-centered, however new interventions tend to reduce this gap ( 2 ). Supporting a relative with mental disorder is burdensome for most informal caregivers, and the burden level is increased by several factors related to patients, households, health system facilities, personal characteristics, and community and cultural environments ( 5 , 6 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Women involvement in the informal caregiving field: A perspective review

et al. 2023

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The patient recovery process of individual with mental health disorder is reinforced if they are connected with their community and supported by relatives. The literature has shown that caregivers are important, although their roles can lead to alterations in their own health; and women are the most involved in this role. The present review investigated women’s involvement in the informal caregiver scientific field. A literature review indicated gender differences; researchers who are women are more interested in this field than men. Even with a good representation of women in this scientific field, the results showed a statistically significant gender difference for the first and second authors, whereas there was no significant gender difference among the last authors. More efforts must be made to recognize the importance of women’s involvement in research because they raise a specific important field. Family caregivers are key players in the healthcare system, but to date, there has been little recognition of their enormous contribution. Our results also indicated the informal caregiver role is filled more by women than by men, which creates social inequalities in many domains, especially in opportunities at the professional level. Tailored interventions are required to address the specific needs and issues of family caregivers. A better redistribution of unpaid work, such as informal caregiving, compared to paid work must be made to respect gender in social existence.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Women involvement in the informal caregiving field: A perspective review

et al. 2023

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“…For example, belief in a positive outcome is associated with lower levels of perceived stress, supporting the view that an optimistic attitude can improve the effectiveness of coping strategies ( 51 ). In practice, this result is favorable for tailored interventions for informal caregivers ( 53 ). Our findings suggest that supporting caregivers’ health and addressing the negative impact of the lockdown on mental health among young care recipients should be routinely included in intervention strategies to prevent heightened stress among informal caregivers.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ability to Care for an Ill Loved One During the First COVID-19 Lockdown: Mediators of Informal Caregivers’ Stress in Europe

Monteiro

Fournier²,

Favrod³

et al. 2022

Front. Psychiatry

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Informal caregivers are overlooked, healthcare actors. They are at particular risk of distress and suffer from poor mental health. This study aimed to investigate the perceived stress and modulating factors during the first COVID-19 lockdown in Europe, regardless of the illness that care recipients suffer from. Sociodemographic data, coping resources, and perceived stress level using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) questionnaire were assessed using a web-based survey in Switzerland, France, and Belgium with 232 informal caregivers. Mediation analyses were used to identify the factors that modulate stress. Higher perceived stress among informal caregivers was associated with a younger age for the care recipient, family relationship with the care recipient, cohabitation, and female sex of the informal caregiver. These associations were partially mediated by the fear of getting ill (age, cohabitation), the conviction that lockdowns had a negative impact on health (age, kinship), and the perceived deterioration of the care recipient’s health (gender). The fear of losing the ability to cope with caregiving tasks due to an illness (COVID-19 and/or other) and the negative impact of the lockdown on care recipients’ health, particularly on the mental health of young care recipients, increased the stress of informal caregivers. Our results emphasize the importance of informal caregiving support to prevent heightened stress in lockdown conditions, regardless of care recipient illness or kinship.

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“…The Ensemble randomized controlled trial (RCT) presented in this study was a monocenter RCT designed to assess the efficacy of the Ensemble program. The program was administered in five individual sessions, utilizing different practical exercises and tools according to the needs of each participant, including the assessment of needs, problem-solving, and positive and assertive communication ( 20 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A randomized controlled trial of a targeted support program for informal caregivers in adult psychiatry

Rexhaj,

Martinez,

Golay

et al. 2023

Front. Psychiatry

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BackgroundThe importance of informal caregivers for persons with severe mental illness has been demonstrated. However, this role may cause a high care burden that considerably affects caregiver health. The Ensemble program is a five-session brief individual intervention designed to support informal caregivers. This trial aimed to assess the efficacy of the program versus SAU (support as usual) for participants with a high care burden.MethodsA single-center randomized controlled trial including 149 participants was conducted. Caregivers in the intervention arm participated in the Ensemble program. The effects of the intervention were assessed using mixed models for repeated measures analysis of variance on improvements in informal caregivers’ psychological health status, optimism levels, burden scores, and quality of life at three time points (T0 = pretest; T1 = posttest at 2 months, and T2 = follow-up at 4 months).ResultsAnalysis of the Global Psychological Index showed no significant effect at the two endpoints in favor of the Ensemble group. However, the Brief Symptom Inventory-Positive Symptom Distress Index was significantly lower at the two-month follow-up. A significant reduction in burden on the Zarit Burden Interview was observed post-intervention, along with an increase in optimism levels on the Life Orientation Test-Revised at follow-up in the Ensemble group. No significant differences were observed in quality of life. Clinical improvements in both psychological health status and burden levels were also identified.ConclusionThe Ensemble program offers an inclusive approach based on a recovery perspective that significantly reduces symptom distress and burden and increases optimism among informal caregivers.Clinical trial registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov/, NCT04020497.

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Ensemble programme for early intervention in informal caregivers of psychiatric adult patients: a protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Cited by 5 publications

References 59 publications

Women involvement in the informal caregiving field: A perspective review

Women involvement in the informal caregiving field: A perspective review

Ability to Care for an Ill Loved One During the First COVID-19 Lockdown: Mediators of Informal Caregivers’ Stress in Europe

A randomized controlled trial of a targeted support program for informal caregivers in adult psychiatry

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