Racial Differences in Program Evaluation of a Lifestyle Physical Activity Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare program evaluation responses between African American and Caucasian caregivers of persons with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias who completed a lifestyle physical activity randomized controlled trial. The aim was to determine if African Americans evaluated the study differently than Caucasians. Family caregivers ( N = 211) were randomly assigned to a 12-month physical activity intervention or a control condition. Upon intervention completion ( n = 114), caregivers responded to an 11-item questionnaire using Likert-type scale responses and three open-ended questions about the overall intervention quality. Findings indicated that African American caregivers evaluated both conditions more favorably than Caucasian caregivers ( p = .02). Content analysis of the narrative responses revealed five major qualitative themes: support, resources, responsibility, adjusting, and time. These findings suggest the value of both access to resources, and support for African American caregivers who participate in intervention research.