title: Virtually supportive: a feasibility pilot study of an online support group for dementia caregivers in a 3D virtual environment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Caregiver support groups effectively reduce stress from caring for someone with dementia. These same demands can prevent participation in a group. The present feasibility study investigated a virtual online caregiver support group to bring the support group into the home. While online groups have been shown to be helpful, submissions to a message board (vs. live conversation) can feel impersonal.
  
  
  METHODS
  By using avatars, participants interacted via real-time chat in a virtual environment in an 8-week support group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data indicated lower levels of perceived stress, depression and loneliness across participants. Importantly, satisfaction reports also indicate that caregivers overcame the barriers to participation, and had a strong sense of the group's presence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides the framework for an accessible and low cost online support group for a dementia caregiver. The study demonstrates the feasibility of interactive group in a virtual environment for engaging members in meaningful interaction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85750, USA. Electronic address: mfoconnor@email.arizona.edu.
authors.forename: Mary-Frances
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: O'Connor
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85750, USA.
authors.forename: Brian J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Arizmendi
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85750, USA.
authors.forename: Alfred W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Kaszniak
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001130:Arizona; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003704:Dementia / Q000451:nursing*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D013685:Telecommunications
keywords: Avatar; Caregiver; Dementia; Internet; Support group; Virtual world; Web-based