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The Existential Cognitive Intervention to Enhance Positive Aspect of Caregiving (EXCITE-PAC) in a Dementia Context
Sponsor: The University of Hong Kong
Summary
Research evidence is emerging on the co-existence of a positive caregiving experience in the physically and psychosocially taxing dementia care context, but little attention has been paid to promoting the positive aspects of caregiving (PAC) among family carers. We adopt the paradigm of existential positive psychology, integrating cognitive behavioural theory, construal level theory, and Antonovsky's theory of salutogenesis to develop an existential-cognitive intervention to enhance positive aspects of caregiving (EXCITE-PAC), and thereby improve the health outcomes of family carers of people living with dementia (PLwD). A pilot mixed-method study comprising a randomised controlled trial and a post-trial qualitative interview is proposed to evaluate the effects of EXCITE-PAC on carers' health and to examine whether any such effects are mediated through changes in PAC. Post-trial interviews with carers will further elucidate their experiences of the intervention and their perceptions of its impact. Overall aim \& objectives This sequential mixed-method study aims to: i) evaluate the effects of the 12-week EXCITE-PAC programme on PAC (primary outcome), Health-related quality of life (HRQoL), depression, caregiving self-efficacy and meaning-making among the family carers of PLwD; ii) explore whether the health benefits of EXCITE-PAC, if any, are mediated through improved PAC at the 36-week (i.e., about 6 months) follow-up endpoints; and iii) explore carers' perceptions of the benefits, limitations and acceptability of the EXCITE-PAC programme.
Official title: The Effects and Mediating Mechanism of the Existential Cognitive Intervention to Enhance Positive Aspect of Caregiving (EXCITE-PAC) in a Dementia Context: A Sequential Mixed Method Study
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
304
Start Date
2026-09-15
Completion Date
2028-06-30
Last Updated
2026-09-08
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Conditions
Interventions
Existential-cognitive intervention to enhance PAC
The EXCITE-PAC program is an overall 12-week training and comprises of three phases as follows: Face-to-face home visit to establish narrative-based caregiver biographies. Group-based virtual meetings with video-guided self-distancing cognitive reappraisal to enhance emotional regulation and meaning-making. The goal-oriented empowerment approach will be used to facilitate carers' use of reframing and refocusing techniques in the day-to-day caregiving proces. Telephone follow-ups will be made to continue supporting goal attainment.
Usual care
Usual care will be provided to the control group which mainly covers the social activities offered by the affiliated center. The participants are requested not to join any activities relating to cognitive training or auditory training before the post-test data collection.
Locations (1)
The University of Hong Kong
Hong Kong, Hong Kong