CareCoach Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
CareCoach Study: Testing the clinical and cost-effectiveness of an online support package (CareCoach) for family carers of people living with dementia
IRAS ID
338454
Contact name
Christopher Fox
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Exeter
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
People who care for people living with dementia (who we refer to as carers or caregivers) need to have information and skills to manage and support the day-to-day care they provide. The aim of this study is to test the effects of using an online support package for carers called CareCoach. In other words, the study will test whether CareCoach has an effect on carer’s sense of being able to care well, their mood and quality of life. We must test this before we can make it available to people across the UK. This study is part of a larger research programme (The CareCoach Research Programme). This study is the final study of the programme and has been informed by a previous pilot study which aimed to test whether running a randomised trial using CareCoach was feasible. The results from the pilot (or feasibility) study indicated that the study was feasible. Therefore, the funder has approved this larger randomised controlled trial. This trial aims to recruit 404 family carers. Carers will be randomly allocated to either the CareCoach intervention group or the 'control' group where they will continue to receive usual care. The intervention (CareCoach) combines learning modules (via an online platform) with support from a ‘coach’ (eg., health/social care worker) remotely. Carers in the intervention group will use CareCoach for 8-weeks with support from a 'coach'. All carers in the study will be asked to complete a questionnaire either online or via post at the beginning of the trial (before being allocated into a group), and 10-weeks and 6-months after allocation. We will recruit the carers via recruiting sites, via self-referral (e.g., via social media, newsletter, other communications), community groups, and charities. There will be an embedded qualitative study (e.g., group discussions, interviews) exploring carer and coach experiences using CareCoach.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/NW/0376
Date of REC Opinion
8 Jan 2025
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion