The Veteran Caregiver Reducing Stress Time (VetCareReST) Study

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Caring for a disabled adult, particularly those with long-lasting impairment, has been associated with elevated levels of stress, depression and anxiety among caregivers.Recent studies show that veteran caregivers experience higher levels of psychological distress than caregivers in the general population, highlighting the psychological needs of this population. The Veteran Caregiver Reducing Stress Time (VetCareReST) is a randomized control trial designed to test the effectiveness of a mindfulness at reducing stress, depression and anxiety in veteran caregivers in Champaign and Danville County.

Detailed Description
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Recent estimates indicate that there are 275,000 to one million informal veteran caregivers. Caring for a disabled adult, particularly those with long-lasting impairment, has been associated with elevated levels of stress, depression and anxiety among caregivers. Veteran caregivers are especially vulnerable because of competing demands. For instance, Post 9/11 veteran caregivers are more likely to be the spouse of a veteran, and have experienced the stress of multiple deployments, have a young child in their care, and work outside the home. Recent studies show that veteran caregivers experience higher levels of psychological distress than caregivers in the general population, highlighting the psychological needs of this population. One effective approach at reducing stress, depression and anxiety has been the use of mindfulness training, which has been shown to effectively reduce mood symptoms among professional caregivers. The Veteran Caregiver Reducing Stress Time (VetCareReST) is a randomized control trial designed to test the effectiveness of a mindfulness at reducing stress, depression and anxiety in veteran caregivers in Champaign and Danville County. This study builds on Dr. Lara-Cinisomo's (PI) experience with military spouses. The findings from this trial will serve as pilot data for a large-scale study.

Official Title
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Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Wounded Warrior Caregivers

Conditions
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Stress, Depression, Anxiety and Worry

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Mindfulness meditation training


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Provide unpaid caregiver or support to a veteran Must be 18 years of age or older Willing to participate for the duration of the project Able to track his/her home practice in a handwritten log Have no significant psychiatric disorders other than depression or anxiety (e.g., bipolar disorder, substance abuse, actively suicidal) Exclusion Criteria: The presence of significant psychiatric disorders other than depression or anxiety (e.g., bipolar disorder, substance abuse, actively suicidal)

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Mindfulness group<br>The treatment groups will participate in a mindfulness intervention training that will meet for 2 hours once a week for eight weeks. The 8-week program provides participants with 2-hour weekly instruction designed to teach specific skills and how to apply them during stressful situations (e.g., when caring for or advocating for the veteran).Mindfulness training also requires that participants engage in daily home practice for 30 to 40 minutes. Participants will be required to record the duration of the meditation in log sheets. | Behavioral: Mindfulness meditation training<br>* Mindfulness meditation training<br>|
| No Intervention: Control<br>Participants in the control may receive the mindfulness training after the wait period ends at which point they may receive the treatment as described above. | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Stress | Perceived levels of stress | 8 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Depressed mood | Depressive symptoms | 8 weeks |