Caregivers' effects of augmented cognitive-behavioural therapy for post-stroke depressive symptoms in patients: secondary analyses to a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE:: To investigate the concomitant effects of two patient-directed interventions for post-stroke depressive symptoms on caregivers' well-being.

DESIGN:: Secondary analyses of the results of a randomized controlled trial.

SUBJECTS:: Fifty caregivers of stroke patients receiving outpatient rehabilitation.

INTERVENTIONS:: Stroke patients and their caregivers were randomly allocated to either cognitive-behavioural therapy augmented with movement or occupational therapy ( n = 23) or computerized cognitive training ( n = 27) to alleviate depressive symptoms in patients.

MAIN MEASURES:: Emotional burden (Involvement Evaluation Questionnaire), practical burden (Caregiver Strain Index), mental health (General Health Questionnaire) and emotional complaints (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale).

RESULTS:: Caregivers of patients who received cognitive-behavioural therapy reported significantly higher mental health levels (mean difference (MD) = 1.78, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.43-3.13, P = 0.01) and less worrying about patients' well-being (MD = 1.9, 95% CI = 0.56-3.24, P < 0.01). In addition, there were positive time effects on the Involvement Evaluation Questionnaire for Brain Injury, particularly the subscales Worrying, Supervision and Tension.

CONCLUSION:: The results suggest that augmented cognitive-behavioural therapy aimed at improving patients' emotional, behavioural and social functioning positively affects some aspects of caregivers' well-being.