Resourcefulness Training for Dementia Caregivers: Establishing Fidelity.
Jaclene A Zauszniewski, Nirmala Lekhak, Christopher J Burant and 2 others
PMID 27338751WHAT IT FOUND
Journaling and digital voice recording did not differ, and caregiver choice did not differ from random assignment, although resourcefulness scores increased over time.
This was a fidelity pilot, not proof the training improved caregiver health.
Key findings
01There were no significant differences between journaling and digital recording in total, personal, or social resourcefulness over time.
02There were no significant differences between random assignment and choice conditions in total, personal, or social resourcefulness over time.
03Resourcefulness scores increased over time, and the skills used most frequently were relying on family and friends, seeking professionals and experts, and organizing daily activities (95%, 91%, and 83%).
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study was a convenience sample of 63 women caregivers, and the authors note that this limits generalizability. All caregivers received the resourcefulness training, so the study cannot show that training caused the score increases compared with no training. The outcomes measured were resourcefulness scores and skill use, not caregiver burden, depression, health, or care recipient behavior problems. The qualitative analysis used 59 caregivers because two journals were illegible and two recordings were inaudible. The study only explored random assignment versus choice, so it cannot show that choice caused more frequent skill use.
Declared interests
The supplied text does not include a funding or conflict-of-interest declaration; the publication metadata lists Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read this as evidence that Resourcefulness Training improves dementia caregiver health or reduces burden. It was a pilot fidelity study that measured resourcefulness scores and skill use, and all caregivers received the training.