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AI-Supported CBT-Based Psychoeducation for Caregivers of Individuals With Schizophrenia
Sponsor: Kastamonu University
Summary
Schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder that affects the diagnosed individual and the family members involved in the care process from a biopsychosocial perspective. The course of the illness, the recurrence of symptoms, and the high level of care required can increase the burden on caregivers and make it difficult for them to express their emotions. Structured psychoeducation and cognitive-behavioral interventions have been reported to be beneficial for caregivers in managing these challenges. The aim of this study is to develop an AI-supported psychoeducation program based on a cognitive-behavioral approach for caregivers of individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia and to evaluate the program's impact on caregiving burden and the level of emotional expression. The six-week program will cover topics such as the caregiver role and burden, schizophrenia, the thought-emotion-behavior cycle, recognizing and expressing emotions, effective communication, setting boundaries, seeking support, signs of relapse, and crisis planning. Content based on scientific literature will be evaluated by experts. Artificial intelligence will facilitate interaction with the content, participation in activities, the application of skills, and structured feedback. The system will not provide clinical assessments, diagnoses, or personalized treatment recommendations; participants will be referred to appropriate healthcare services in situations requiring professional evaluation. The study will be conducted using a quasi-experimental design with pre-test and post-test control groups. A total of 88 caregivers will be recruited, with 44 assigned to the experimental group and 44 to the control group. The program will be administered to the experimental group, while the control group will receive routine care. Data will be collected using the Caregiver Descriptive Information Form, the Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale, and the Emotional Expression Scale. A Program Evaluation Form will also be used for the experimental group. The program to be developed is expected to reduce the caregiving burden on caregivers and improve their ability to express emotions. It is anticipated that the findings will contribute to psychiatric nursing practice, the development of AI-supported psychoeducation programs, and the strengthening of psychosocial support provided to caregivers.
Official title: Development of an Artificial Intelligence-Supported, Cognitive Behavioral Approach-Based Psychoeducation Program for Caregivers of Individuals Diagnosed With Schizophrenia and Evaluation of Its Effects on Caregiver Burden and Emotional Expressivity
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
88
Start Date
2026-10-20
Completion Date
2027-03-20
Last Updated
2026-10-16
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Interventions
Control
Participants in the control group will receive routine care and standard information provided by the healthcare institution throughout the six-week study period. They will not receive the AI-supported, cognitive-behavioral approach-based psychoeducation program. Outcome assessments will be conducted at baseline and immediately after the six-week study period, using the same measurement tools administered to the intervention group.
Interactive AI-Supported Learning Activities
As part of the six-week program, participants will complete professionally supervised, AI-supported psychoeducational activities. These activities will include flashcards, case studies, thought-emotion-behavior logs, reflective questions, emotion recognition exercises, communication practice, and structured psychoeducational feedback. The AI system will support learning and engagement but will not make independent clinical decisions or alter the program's standardized scientific content.
AI-Supported Cognitive Behavioral Approach-Based Psychoeducation Program
Participants in the intervention group will undergo a six-week, AI-supported psychoeducation program based on the cognitive-behavioral approach. The program consists of six structured modules: (1) recognizing the caregiving role and burden, (2) understanding schizophrenia through reliable information, (3) balancing the thought-emotion-behavior cycle, (4) recognizing and expressing emotions, (5) communicating, setting boundaries, and seeking support, and (6) developing a safety plan for relapse and crisis situations. Artificial intelligence will be used as a supportive educational tool under professional supervision; it will not alter the program's standardized scientific content nor make independent clinical decisions. It will facilitate interaction with the program through brief explanations, information cards, case examples, thought-emotion-behavior logs, reflective questions, emotion recognition exercises, communication examples, short skill-based activities, and structured psychoe