Learning to live with a loved one with mild cognitive impairment: effectiveness of a waiting list controlled trial of a group intervention on significant others' sense of competence and well-being.

This controlled study examines the efficacy of a comprehensive group program aimed at care partners of patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which comprises elements of psychoeducation, cognitive rehabilitation, and cognitive behavioral therapy. Pre- and posttreatment quantitative and qualitative data were collected in the significant others of 84 patients with MCI, 27 of whom had first been assigned to a waiting list, thus serving as their own control group. Also, the significant others rated their sense of competence, well-being, distress, acceptance, helplessness, and awareness. Quantitative data analysis did not reveal statistically significant differences between the control and the intervention condition, but qualitative results suggest that at program completion the significant others reported gains in knowledge, insight, acceptance, and coping skills. In the present sample of significant others, the group intervention was not proven effective. Suggestions for program adjustments and alternative outcome measures are discussed.