Wilson Mara, Birkeland Robyn W, Albers Elizabeth, Louwagie Katie W, Chesak Sherry S, Ratner Edward, Finn Jacob, Ostenso Samantha, Gaugler Joseph E
School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA.
Division of Nursing Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, USA.
Innov Aging. 2025 Jun 18;9(6):igaf057. doi: 10.1093/geroni/igaf057. eCollection 2025.
Research has established that unpaid family members, friends, or others who care for persons with dementia (ie, caregivers) may encounter socioemotional and physical health concerns as a consequence of providing extensive assistance. Similarly, caregivers for people living with traumatic brain injury (TBI) often experience a range of stressors and negative mental health outcomes due to care demands. Individuals with TBI often develop Alzheimer's disease and Alzheimer's disease-related dementia (AD/ADRD). This history of TBI may introduce complications to AD/ADRD caregiving. A comprehensive intervention grounded in the understanding of the complex caregiving context of both diagnoses is warranted to address the unique needs and concerns of TBI-AD/ADRD caregivers.
This study evaluated the feasibility of the TBI-AD/ADRD Caregiver Support Intervention (TACSI) psychoeducational program, designed to support the unique subset of caregivers facing the challenge of assisting relatives with AD/ADRD and a history of TBI. TACSI, a 6-session telehealth intervention, provides tailored psychosocial and psychoeducational coaching. In partnership with the 2 national healthcare centers, 15 caregivers enrolled in the 3-month feasibility study evaluating the design and subsequent refinement of TACSI. Mixed methods data were collected from 3-month follow-up surveys and qualitative data from postintervention interviews.
The feasibility, utility, and acceptance of TACSI were established. Caregivers liked the telehealth delivery and the personalized nature of TACSI, yet some expressed it would have been more beneficial earlier in their caregiving journey.
Caregivers valued the TACSI program. Their feedback has been applied to improve TACSI content and delivery for a larger pilot randomized controlled trial that is currently underway.
研究表明，无偿照顾痴呆症患者的家庭成员、朋友或其他人员（即照料者），可能会因提供大量帮助而面临社会情感和身体健康方面的问题。同样，创伤性脑损伤（TBI）患者的照料者也常常因护理需求而经历一系列压力源和负面心理健康后果。TBI患者常发展为阿尔茨海默病及与阿尔茨海默病相关的痴呆症（AD/ADRD）。TBI病史可能给AD/ADRD护理带来并发症。有必要基于对这两种诊断复杂护理背景的理解开展全面干预，以满足TBI-AD/ADRD照料者的独特需求和关切。
本研究评估了TBI-AD/ADRD照料者支持干预（TACSI）心理教育项目的可行性，该项目旨在支持面临协助患有AD/ADRD且有TBI病史亲属这一挑战的特定照料者群体。TACSI是一个为期6节的远程医疗干预项目，提供量身定制的心理社会和心理教育指导。与两家国家医疗中心合作，15名照料者参与了为期3个月的可行性研究，评估TACSI的设计及后续完善情况。从3个月的随访调查中收集混合方法数据，并从干预后访谈中收集定性数据。
确立了TACSI的可行性、实用性和可接受性。照料者喜欢远程医疗服务方式以及TACSI的个性化特点，但一些人表示在他们的照料过程中更早开展该项目会更有益处。
照料者重视TACSI项目。他们的反馈已被用于改进TACSI的内容和服务方式，以开展目前正在进行的更大规模的试点随机对照试验。
