Feasibility and acceptability of a telephone and web-based stroke caregiver intervention: a pilot randomized controlled trial of the RESCUE intervention

Abstract

Objective: Assess the feasibility and acceptability of an Internet and telephone support and problem-solving intervention for stroke caregivers. Design: Randomized controlled pilot trial with four arms: four-week intervention (n = 13), eight-week intervention (n = 13), eight-week attention control (n = 13), and standard care (n = 14). Setting: Southeastern U.S. Veterans Health System. Participants: Informal caregivers of Veterans who suffered a stroke in the preceding 2.5 years were enrolled over an 18-month period. Interventions: Intervention participants received RESCUE, a support and problem-solving intervention delivered via telephone and Internet by registered nurses. Attention control participants received active listening with no advice delivered by nurses via telephone. Main Measures: Feasibility of a larger trial was assessed via recruitment and retention. Acceptability was assessed using an adapted enactment tool and qualitative interviews. Changes in caregiver depressive symptoms and burden were measured by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale and Zarit Burden Interview. The study was not powered for significance testing. Results: Of 340 eligible caregivers, 53 (16%) agreed to participate. Among those enrolled, 51 (96%) completed the study. Caregiver mean age was 60.3 (10.1), 49 (93%) were female and 36 (68%) were white. At baseline, 21 (39%) caregivers had high risk of depression and 18 (33%) had significant burden. Acceptability and enactment tool findings indicated positive participant responses to the intervention. Most rated the amount of sessions the “right amount”. Qualitative analysis revealed the intervention was valued by and acceptable to caregivers. Conclusions: Findings indicate the RESCUE intervention is feasible and acceptable to caregivers and warrants further testing.