Testing the Efficacy of a Culturally Adapted Family Dementia Caregiver Intervention (REACH VN): Results From a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial in Northern Vietnam

• Published in: The American journal of geriatric psychiatry 2024-10
• Main Authors: Nguyen, Huong, Nguyen, Hung Trong, Nguyen, Ngoc Bich, Tran, Duyen, Harvey, Danielle J., Nguyen, Binh Thanh, Nguyen, Binh Thi Thanh, Nguyen, Anh Ngoc, Nguyen, Chinh Thi Hong, Nguyen, Thu Thi Hoai, Nguyen, Thuy Le, Nguyen, Anh Thi Phuong, Nguyen, Ngoc Hung, Nguyen, Anh Lan, Luong, Yen Hai, Nguyen, Bien Huu, Nguyen, Phong Quy, Gitlin, Laura N., Nguyen, Trung Anh, Pham, Thang, Hinton, Ladson
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alzheimer's disease; Dementia; Family caregiving; Global health; Low- and middle-income countries; Nonpharmacological interventions; Vietnam
• ISSN: 1064-7481; 1545-7214; 1545-7214
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jagp.2024.10.011

•What is the primary question addressed by this study?This is a two-armed cluster randomized controlled trial to test the efficacy of a culturally adapted family caregiver intervention (REACH VN) in reducing caregiver psychological distress and caregiver burden in Vietnam.•What is the main finding of this study?Caregivers in the REACH VN intervention group had significantly lower psychological distress at 3 months and caregiving burden at 6 months compared to those in the control group. Secondary outcomes (perceived stress, somatic symptoms) were also significantly improved at 3 months but not at 6 months.•What is the meaning of the finding?REACH VN, a multicomponent intervention, is efficacious in supporting and improving the health of family dementia caregivers in Vietnam although further modifications may be needed to sustain effects after 3 months. Vietnam faces an unprecedented increase in people living with dementia but lacks evidence-based family dementia caregiver interventions. We tested the efficacy of a culturally adapted family caregiver intervention (REACH VN) in Northern Vietnam. In this randomized controlled trial, clusters (communes) were assigned to1 REACH VN (a multicomponent intervention consisting of 4-6 one-hour sessions delivered over 1-3 months) or2 enhanced control (one session of dementia education). Primary outcomes were caregiver perceived psychological distress (PHQ-4) and burden (ZBI-12). Secondary outcomes were caregiver perceived stress (PSS-10) and somatic symptoms (PHQ-15). Mixed effects analysis was performed with 3-month and 6-month assessments as the outcomes and baseline assessment as a covariate. Overall, 350 caregivers from 40 clusters (21 intervention, 19 enhanced control) enrolled and 330 (94.3%) completed 3-month assessments. At 3 months, the REACH VN intervention group had lower PHQ-4 (p