STrAtegies for RelaTives (START) - Brazilian version
STrAtegies for RelaTives (START) - Brazilian version: Eight individualized, weekly, home-based sessions will be delivered by trained community general health workers (CGHW). The intervention includes coping strategies, behavior management, and communication skills. Caregivers receive printed materials and structured exercises. CGHW receive a facilitator manual.
Study summary
This controlled trial aims to assess the feasibility of a culturally adapted Brazilian version of the START (STrAtegies for RelaTives) program, a structured coping strategy program designed for family caregivers of people living with dementia. The program will be delivered by trained community general health workers (CGHW) in 10 municipalities across Brazil. Outcomes will include measures of feasibility and acceptability, as well as caregiver burden, mental health, and quality of life, assessed at baseline and after 6 months.
Eligibility
Sex
ALL
Min age
18 Years
Max age
—
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion Criteria:
* Informal caregivers (≥18 years old) who are the primary or one of the primary persons responsible for caring for a family member with dementia, providing regular and sustained emotional or practical support every week, and living in the same household or nearby with frequent face-to-face interaction.
* Care recipient (person with dementia) with Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) score ≥1.
* Care recipient with at least one ICD-10 dementia diagnosis code documented in their medical record.
Exclusion criteria:
* Illiterate caregivers.
* Caregivers who provide only occasional or sporadic support (less than weekly or without regular caregiving responsibility).
* Care recipients who are institutionalized (e.g., living in long-term care facilities).
Primary outcome measure(s)
Feasibility questionnaire — Approximately 8 weeks post-baseline (after completing the intervention) Feasibility of the START/ESCADA intervention assessed through an online structured questionnaire applied to caregivers and community health workers (CHW), covering domains of acceptability, demand, implementation, practicality, adaptation, integration, and expansion.
Operational feasibility metrics — Approximately 8 weeks post-baseline (after completing the intervention) Number of caregivers who consented to participate; number and proportion who completed all 8 sessions; average number of weeks to complete 8 sessions; number and proportion of community health workers (CHW) completing training; number of CHW delivering the intervention.
Qualitative feasibility interviews — Approximately 8 weeks post-baseline (after completing the intervention) Feasibility and acceptability of the START/ESCADA intervention assessed via semi-structured qualitative interviews with managers of primary care units, general health workers (ACS), and caregivers, exploring domains such as acceptability, demand, implementation, practicality, adaptation, integration, and expansion.
Trial sites (1)
Facility
City
Region
Status
Lucas Martins Teixeira
Vitória
Espírito Santo
Recruiting
More Hospital Alemão Oswaldo Cruz trials in Brazil
This page summarises publicly available registry data for informational purposes — not medical advice. Eligibility is determined by each study team; patients should discuss participation with their clinician.
We use cookies to analyse site traffic and improve your experience. With your consent, we may also use cookies for advertising. You can change your choice at any time.
