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Caregiver Stress and Sleep Study
Sponsor: University of Pittsburgh
Summary
The purpose of this research study is to better understand how stress, sleep and activity might impact caregivers' mood and brain health. This study includes a randomized experimental component where therapists will systematically deliver one of two evidence-based talk-therapy treatments. The aim is to evaluate effects on meaningful health-relevant measures including morning activation levels, depression symptoms, rumination, and aspects brain connectivity previously linked with depression. Participants will complete surveys about their caregiving experiences, health, and mood, undergo an MRI, and wear an actigraphy watch that measures activity levels throughout the day and when sleeping.
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
55 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
120
Start Date
2022-07-15
Completion Date
2027-06-30
Last Updated
2026-05-19
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Conditions
Interventions
Morning Action Plan Execution
Each day, participants are asked to track if they do the morning activity plan.
Activity Strategy-based Session with Therapist
Participants will meet weekly with a trained therapist to discuss their prescribed activity plan. If unsuccessful, at weekly follow-ups, participants are asked to refine their plan or make a new one. Each session lasts about 30-45 minutes.
Attention-based Session with Therapist
Participants will meet weekly with trained a therapist to talk about stressors they experience, providing an opportunity to voice and self-address their problems. In this control condition, therapists will not deliver any particular strategy except for active listening and referring to the educational materials
Advance sleep-wake time
Some participants will be asked to adjust their sleep schedule to accommodate morning activity engagement by introducing or altering mechanisms known promote early rising (i.e., light exposure, reward and processes, etc.)
Locations (1)
UPMC Western Behavioral Health
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States