Face‐to‐face versus telephone‐based cognitive‐behavioral therapy for family caregivers of people with dementia

• Published in: Journal of clinical psychology Vol. 79; no. 10; pp. 2270 - 2287
• Main Authors: Töpfer, Nils F., Wrede, Nicolas, Theurer, Christina, Wilz, Gabriele
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Wiley Periodicals Inc 01.10.2023
• Subjects: Behavior modification; Caregivers; Cognitive behavioral therapy; Dementia; Telemedicine; dementia; cognitive-behavioral therapy; telephone; caregiver; face-to-face
• ISSN: 0021-9762; 1097-4679; 1097-4679
• DOI: 10.1002/jclp.23538

The objective was to directly compare the effects and acceptability of telephone-based (TEL-CBT) with face-to-face cognitive-behavioral therapy (F2F-CBT) for family caregivers of people with dementia (PwD). Caregivers for whom F2F participation was possible were allocated to F2F-CBT (n = 49). The other participants were randomized to TEL-CBT (n = 139) or CG (n = 134). CBT consisted of 12 sessions over 6 months. TEL-CBT yielded significantly better physical health (d = 0.27) and coping with daily hassles (d = 0.38) at posttest compared to F2F-CBT. Therapist competence, acceptability, and outcomes at follow-up did not differ between TEL-CBT and F2F-CBT. TEL-CBT is a valuable alternative to F2F-CBT for family caregivers of PwD as TEL-CBT has the advantage of higher accessibility while it does not significantly differ from F2F-CBT in effectiveness and caregivers' evaluation of the setting, their experience with the therapist, and their satisfaction.