JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRDs) can impact emotional distress and individual and relational health among persons living with dementia and their romantic partners. There are limited skills-based interventions that can help couples build resilience while navigating dementia-related challenges.

Objective:

We aim to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary signal of improvement of Resilient Together for Dementia (RT-ADRD), a novel dyadic skills-based intervention aimed at preventing chronic emotional distress early after diagnosis.

Methods:

Couples are randomized to complete either: 1) six weekly conjoint intervention sessions of RT-ADRD; or 2) a minimally enhanced usual care (MEUC) condition involving a self-guided pamphlet. Both partners must demonstrate capacity to consent to research participation, and at least one partner must exhibit clinically elevated emotional distress. Partners living with dementia must have received their diagnosis in the past 6 months. Participants complete baseline and post-test assessments of resiliency skills, emotional distress, relationship functioning, and quality of life, and treatment satisfaction at post-test only.

Results:

We will continue the trial until N=40 couples (80 individuals) are randomized and complete post-test assessments.

Conclusions:

This study will gather comprehensive information on the feasibility and acceptability of RT-ADRD relative to MEUC and assess preliminary signal of improvement on proximal outcomes. Findings will directly inform plans for a larger efficacy trial. Data collection is currently under way, and study completion is expected by late-2026. Clinical Trial: This study is approved by the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Independent Review Board and was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06619327) on 09/2/2024).