A Text Message Intervention to Support Latino Dementia Family Caregivers (CuidaTEXT): Feasibility study

Abstract

AbstractObjectivesTo test the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of CuidaTEXT: a tailored text message intervention to support Latino dementia family caregivers.MethodsCuidaTEXT is a six-month, bilingual, and bidirectional intervention tailored to caregiver needs (e.g., education, problem-solving, resources). We enrolled 24 Latino caregivers in a one-arm trial, and assessed feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy within six months.ResultsRecruitment took 61 days and enrollment took 20. None of the participants unsubscribed from CuidaTEXT, and 83.3% completed the follow up survey. Most participants (85.7%) reported reading most text messages thoroughly. Participants reported high levels of satisfaction with the intervention (3.6 on a scale from 1 to 4). CuidaTEXT helpfulness was high (3.5-3.8 on a 1 to 4 scale). Compared to baseline, at six months caregiver behavioral symptom distress (0–60) decreased from 19.8 to 12.0, and depression (0-30) from 8.8 to 5.4 (p<0.05).ConclusionsCuidaTEXT demonstrated high levels of feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy among Latino caregivers.Clinical implicationsCuidaTEXT’s feasibility and potential for widespread implementation holds promise in supporting Latino caregivers of people with dementia.