The impact of CDM-based OT on caring for a relative with dementia Ver1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The impact of occupational therapy interventions which use the Cognitive Disabilities Model on the experience of caring for a relative with dementia.
IRAS ID
183769
Contact name
Christina Sheehan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cardif University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 9 months, 1 days
Research summary
Occupational Therapists (OTs) working in dementia care in Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board (ABM UHB) use the Cognitive Disabilities Model (CDM) to assess level of functioning and to maximise abilities by adapting meaningful activities. CDM-based interventions aim to improve the quality of life for the person with dementia and to reduce caregiver burden. There is limited research which examines the impact of occupational therapy in dementia care or of the CDM from caregivers’ perspectives.
The study will involve carrying out 6-8 semi-structured interviews with caregivers in their own homes. The researcher will ask about whether the input from the OT, which was based on the CDM was helpful and whether it has changed how the person with dementia engages in occupations, how the caregiver cares for their relative or whether it has had any impact on the experience of being a caregiver.
4-8 participants will be recruited through the occupational therapy service in ABM UHB. Participants will have to meet set criteria to ensure that they are suitable to participate in the study and to ensure that the researcher is meeting her ethical responsibilities. The researcher will meet with participants to explain the purpose of the study and to gain their consent prior to carrying out the interviews. The interviews will be recorded on an encrypted dictaphone and stored securely. The information from these interviews will then be analysed to look for themes and to interpret the information.
This study will provide insight into carers’ perspectives of how these interventions impact on the ability of individuals with dementia to participate in occupations and on how this impacts on the carers themselves. This may help to better inform the occupational therapy service about whether these interventions help to support carers. This in turn will help to shape service delivery to improve patient care.
REC name
Wales REC 7
REC reference
15/WA/0312
Date of REC Opinion
25 Sep 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion