Supporting people with dementia and their family caregivers through a home‐based, dyadic, multisensory stimulation intervention: A feasibility study

Background Multisensory stimulation interventions are commonly used to support people with dementia (PWD). Major attention has only been paid to their beneficial effects on PWD. This study examined the preliminary effects of a home‐based, dyadic, multisensory stimulation intervention on both PWD and family caregivers (CG). Method In this quasi‐experimental study, 72 PWD‐caregiver dyads received either a 15‐week home‐based, dyadic, multisensory stimulation intervention (n=36) or the usual care (n=36). The intervention was delivered 3 times per week (30 minutes each time) by the CG. It consisted of various multisensory stimulation activities (i.e., tasting food, listening to music, singing). Weekly telephone follow‐ups and sharing sessions were also provided. The following outcomes were measured at baseline, immediately post‐intervention, and at the 3‐month follow‐up: the positive aspect of caregiving, stress, depression, burden, and quality of life (QoL) of the CG; and the cognitive function and Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) of the PWD. A process evaluation was conducted through focus groups involving 13 pairs of dyads. Result Intervention feasibility was established with a high completion rate of 82% (≥60 out of the 90 minutes per week) and a low attrition rate of 5.56%. The average duration of weekly training was 62.5 minutes (S.D.=18.4). The results of the generalized estimating equation indicated that the intervention group experienced a statistically significant improvement in the positive aspect of caregiving (B=‐4.68, 95% confidence interval [CI]=‐7.71, ‐1.65, p=0.002), stress (B=1.75, CI=0.45, 3.06, p=0.009), burden (B=4.86, CI=2.20, 7.52, p<0.001), and QoL (B=‐2.05, CI=‐3.05, ‐1.05, p<0.001) of the CG; and in the BPSD (B=1.80 CI=0.55, 3.05, p=0.005) of the PWD at the post‐test, compared to the controls. Sustainable effects in QoL, positive aspect of caregiving, and BPSD were demonstrated at the 3‐month follow‐up. Focus groups conducted immediately after the intervention revealed three major themes: Impacts on the dyadic relationship, Impacts on the PWD, and Difficulty of implementation. Conclusion This study showed that the intervention is acceptable to PWD‐caregiver dyads in Hong Kong. The program not only benefited the PWD but also the caregivers and the dyadic relationship. Further testing of this program with a larger and more diverse sample is needed.