A Biobehavioral Home-Based Intervention and the Well-being of Patients With Dementia and Their Caregivers

TLDR: In this article, the authors found that COPE patients had less functional dependence (adjusted mean difference, 0.24; 95% CI, 003-0.44;P=.02; Cohend=0.21) and less dependence in instrumental activities of daily living.

Abstract: Results Of 284 dyads screened, 270 (95%) were eligible and 237 (88%) randomized. Data were collected from 209 dyads (88%) at 4 months and 173 (73%) at 9 months. At 4 months, compared with controls, COPE patients had less functional dependence (adjusted mean difference, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.03-0.44;P=.02; Cohend=0.21) and less dependence in instrumental activities of daily living (adjusted mean difference, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.09-0.55; P=.007; Cohen d=0.43), measured by a 15-item scale modeled after the Functional Independence Measure; COPE patients also had improved engagement (adjusted mean difference, 0.12; 95% CI, 0.07-0.22; P=.03; Cohen d=0.26), measured by a 5-item scale. COPE caregivers improved in their wellbeing (adjusted mean difference in Perceived Change Index, 0.22; 95% CI, 0.080.36; P=.002; Cohen d=0.30) and confidence using activities (adjusted mean difference, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.30-1.32; P=.002; Cohen d=0.54), measured by a 5-item scale. By 4 months, 64 COPE dyads (62.7%) vs 48 control group dyads (44.9%) eliminated 1 or more caregiver-identified problems ( 2 1=6.72, P=.01).