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Effect of “Mehrpishegan” Web-Based Support Group on Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Among Elderly Informal Caregivers: A Protocol for a Randomized-Controlled Trial Publisher Pubmed



Rahimi F1, 2 ; Shakibazadeh E1 ; Ashoorkhani M1 ; Hosseini H3, 4 ; Foroughan M5
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Department of Health Education and Promotion, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  2. 2. South Tehran Health Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  3. 3. Center of Research and Training in Skin Disease and Leprosy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  4. 4. Clinical Trial Center (CTC), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  5. 5. Iranian Research Center on Aging, Department of Aging, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Source: Trials Published:2022


Abstract

Background: Elderly population in low- and middle-income countries is rapidly growing, which indicates an increase in the number of dependent people needing long-term care. Caring for the elderly is difficult and stressful and threatens physical and mental health of informal caregivers. We aim to design a web-based support group and assess its effectiveness on depression, anxiety, and stress among elderly informal caregivers. Methods: This is a protocol for a two-arm randomized controlled trial. A total of 160 informal elderly caregivers will be recruited from the southern area of Tehran. Eligible participants will be randomly allocated to two intervention and control groups. The inclusion criteria include not receiving salary for caring, having primary responsibility for care, having smartphone/tablet/computer, being able to use the contents and web applications, having at least one month of experience in caring for the elderly, and having access to the Internet at least once weekly. The intervention will be implemented by giving an account access to the designed website. Depression, anxiety, and stress will be assessed using the DASS21 questionnaire at baseline, and at the end of third and sixth months. Discussion: Our findings can pave the way for improving the mental health of informal caregivers of the elderly through provision of web-based supportive services. This study stands as an opportunity to address the needs of caregivers and help them support each other in a novel way. Trial registration: Iran Randomized Clinical Trial Center IRCT20201012048999N1. Registered on 25 December 2020 (current status: ongoing). The World Health Organization Trial Registration Data Set is in Additional file 1 Protocol version: Second version 2021-05-27. © 2022, The Author(s).
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1. Effect of a Web-Based Intervention on the Mental Health of Informal Caregivers of the Elderly: A Randomized Controlled Trial, BMC Psychiatry (2025)
2. Effects of Modified-Paleo and Moderate-Carbohydrate Diets on Body Composition, Serum Levels of Hepatokines and Adipocytokines, and Flow Cytometric Analysis of Endothelial Microparticles in Adults With Metabolic Syndrome: A Study Protocol for a Randomized Clinical Trial, Trials (2021)
3. Barriers to Home Care for Older Adults From Perspectives of Iranian Informal Caregivers: A Qualitative Study, BMJ Open (2022)
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Mahnaz Ashoorkhani (2)
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