Trial of Empowered Conversations dementia carer training
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A multi-centre effectiveness and cost-effectiveness superiority Randomised Controlled Trial of a group-based intervention for family carers of people living with dementia, called Empowered Conversations, compared to Treatment As Usual
IRAS ID
346849
Contact name
Lydia Morris
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Manchester
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 4 months, 11 days
Research summary
There are 700,000 family carers for people living with dementia in the UK. Sixty-four percent of carers who are unpaid in England say they have limited support for the range of psychological and social needs they experience. It can be difficult to keep communicating well due to thinking and memory changes that arise when someone is living with dementia. This can lead to frustration, low-mood and stress for both people living with dementia and their carers.
The 6-session Empowered Conversations course is designed to enable carers to establish and maintain good communication and relationships with those they support. Course facilitators are trained to provide specific communication techniques, ways of managing conflicts and working with difficult emotions. EC can be delivered in person or online.
The current study followed on from our feasibility trial, which found that EC was feasible, safe and suggested efficacy for carers. Consequently, this RCT will be conducted to help us identify is EC is effective and works with a larger sample. 336 participants will be recruited consisting of of EC (n=224) + TAU (Treatment-As-Usual) vs TAU (n=112). As such, 66% of participants will receive the intervention compared to 33% in TAU. The TAU participants will be offered the EC course 6 months later, after their involvement in the trial ends.
Participants will be identified and recruited through NHS and non-clinical teams (such as Age UK & GMMH)Participants will be asked to complete measures at 3 timepoints , Baseline (completed over two appointments), 16 weeks (post-intervention) and 26 weeks post randomisation (follow up; primary outcome time-point). Assessment packs will contain self report questionnaires (which can be completed by themselves or with a researcher) related to Stress (Primary Outcome), Peer support, Quality of life, cost effectiveness and dementia symptom severity. Participants will be in the study for approximately 7 months.
REC name
East of England - Cambridge South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/EE/0022
Date of REC Opinion
13 Mar 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion