Behavioural Activation Self-Help for Wellbeing in People with Dementia
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Behavioural activation written self-help to improve mood, well-being and quality of life in people with dementia supported by informal carers (the PROMOTE study): a feasibility study
IRAS ID
189426
Contact name
Paul Farrand
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Exeter
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN42017211
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 6 days
Research summary
Low mood and poor wellbeing are common difficulties experienced by people with dementia (PwD). However, due to high financial costs and lack of trained professionals, access to traditional psychological services is limited globally.
A potential solution, demonstrated to be as effective as traditional psychological therapy, is behavioural activation (BA) delivered in a self-help format and guided by trained mental health practitioners. Throughout England self-help BA is used in the “Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT)” programme. Within IAPT a trained workforce, Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners (PWPs), guide the use of BA self-help interventions.Often, when feeling low, people stop doing many activities they used to do. However this can maintain low mood and make it worse. BA self-help aims to improve mood and wellbeing by helping people gradually reintroduce activity into their lives. Whilst self-help BA has been shown to be effective for people with low mood, currently we don’t know whether it is acceptable or effective for PwD.
The main aims of this study are to (i) examine the feasibility of a self-help BA intervention for PwD, supported on a daily basis by informal carers and (ii) examine the acceptability of the intervention, support and method of delivery for both PwD and their carers. Up to 50 PwD and their informal carers (100 participants) will be recruited through general practice, primary care dementia practitioners, memory services and community organisations across Cornwall. Carers supporting the self-help BA intervention will be guided by PWPs working for BeMe IAPT service within Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. PWPs will provide weekly guidance to carers supporting the intervention and problem solve any difficulties. PWPs will also monitor the progress of the PwD using the intervention and help facilitate referral to other services if needed, or reach decisions to end support if the PwD has improved.
REC name
London - South East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/LO/1689
Date of REC Opinion
16 Nov 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion