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Feasibility of a Multi-Component Strengths-Building Intervention for Caregivers of Persons With Heart Failure
Journal of Applied Gerontology, Ahead of Print.
Caregivers of persons with heart failure (HF) navigate complex care plans, yet support strategies often focus solely on meeting the needs of patients. We conducted a randomized waitlist control trial (N = 38) to test the feasibility and gauge initial effect size of the Caregiver Support intervention on quality of life, caregiver burden, and self-efficacy among HF caregivers. The intervention includes up to five remote, nurse-facilitated sessions. Components address: holistic caregiver assessment, life purpose, action planning, resources, and future planning. Caregivers were 93.3% female, 60% White, and 63.3% spouses. Average age was 59.4. Participants who completed the intervention reported high satisfaction and acceptability of activities. Between-group effect sizes at 16 and 32 weeks suggest improvement in quality of life (mental health) (.88; 1.08), caregiver burden (.31; .37), and self-efficacy (.63; .74). Caregivers found Caregiver Support acceptable and feasible. Findings contribute evidence that this intervention can enhance caregiver outcomes. Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier NCT04090749.
Caregivers of persons with heart failure (HF) navigate complex care plans, yet support strategies often focus solely on meeting the needs of patients. We conducted a randomized waitlist control trial (N = 38) to test the feasibility and gauge initial effect size of the Caregiver Support intervention on quality of life, caregiver burden, and self-efficacy among HF caregivers. The intervention includes up to five remote, nurse-facilitated sessions. Components address: holistic caregiver assessment, life purpose, action planning, resources, and future planning. Caregivers were 93.3% female, 60% White, and 63.3% spouses. Average age was 59.4. Participants who completed the intervention reported high satisfaction and acceptability of activities. Between-group effect sizes at 16 and 32 weeks suggest improvement in quality of life (mental health) (.88; 1.08), caregiver burden (.31; .37), and self-efficacy (.63; .74). Caregivers found Caregiver Support acceptable and feasible. Findings contribute evidence that this intervention can enhance caregiver outcomes. Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier NCT04090749.
“It Makes You Feel Alive and Younger…but It’s Stressful …My Back and Legs Ache”: A Focus Group Study Encouraging Resistance Training Around Retirement
Journal of Applied Gerontology, Ahead of Print.
Muscle weakness is a key component of age-related conditions such as sarcopenia and frailty. Resistance training is highly effective at preventing and treating muscle weakness; however, few adults meet recommended levels. Retirement may be a key life-stage to promote resistance training. We carried out a virtual focus group study to explore motivators and barriers to resistance training around the time of retirement, with the aim of determining strategies and messages to increase its uptake. The five focus groups (n = 30) were recorded, transcribed and thematically analysed. We found that resistance training was positively viewed when associated with immediate and long-term health and wellbeing benefits and had a social dimension; but there was a lack of understanding as to what constitutes resistance training, the required intensity level for effects; the role of pain; and the consequences of muscle weakness.
Muscle weakness is a key component of age-related conditions such as sarcopenia and frailty. Resistance training is highly effective at preventing and treating muscle weakness; however, few adults meet recommended levels. Retirement may be a key life-stage to promote resistance training. We carried out a virtual focus group study to explore motivators and barriers to resistance training around the time of retirement, with the aim of determining strategies and messages to increase its uptake. The five focus groups (n = 30) were recorded, transcribed and thematically analysed. We found that resistance training was positively viewed when associated with immediate and long-term health and wellbeing benefits and had a social dimension; but there was a lack of understanding as to what constitutes resistance training, the required intensity level for effects; the role of pain; and the consequences of muscle weakness.
Online mindfulness training for older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: a randomized controlled trial using a multi-method assessment approach
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Impact of community-based technology training with low-income older adults
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Improving Gerontological Survey Participation With Mixed-Mode Response Options, Multiple Contacts, and Noncontingent Incentives
Journal of Applied Gerontology, Ahead of Print.
Background: Surveys are a prominent tool in gerontological research but are hindered by low response rates. This study examined methods to improve response rate among social workers, an understudied cohort in survey methodology literature. Methods: In this brief report, we analyzed factors that influence response rate using mixed-mode survey design (mail vs. online response) and randomized monetary ($10 gift card) and in-kind (continuing education coupon) noncontingent incentives with three reminder postcards among social workers (N = 307). Results: Response rate was 34.1% with more surveys returned via mail than online. Participants who received a gift card responded at a higher rate (46.33%) than those who received continuing education coupons (28.0%). The results add to the literature of survey methodology to improve response rates among social workers and support noncontingent gift cards and mixed-mode survey return procedures as best practices for reducing bias and improving the quality of gerontological research.
Background: Surveys are a prominent tool in gerontological research but are hindered by low response rates. This study examined methods to improve response rate among social workers, an understudied cohort in survey methodology literature. Methods: In this brief report, we analyzed factors that influence response rate using mixed-mode survey design (mail vs. online response) and randomized monetary ($10 gift card) and in-kind (continuing education coupon) noncontingent incentives with three reminder postcards among social workers (N = 307). Results: Response rate was 34.1% with more surveys returned via mail than online. Participants who received a gift card responded at a higher rate (46.33%) than those who received continuing education coupons (28.0%). The results add to the literature of survey methodology to improve response rates among social workers and support noncontingent gift cards and mixed-mode survey return procedures as best practices for reducing bias and improving the quality of gerontological research.
Multivariate examination of embedded indicators of performance validity for ADHD evaluations: A targeted approach
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