title: Feasibility of a pocket-PC based cognitive control intervention in dementia spousal caregivers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Spousal caregivers of patients with dementia are in need of interventions to bolster their quality of life. Computer-based, self-administered cognitive training is an innovative approach to target spousal caregiver distress and coping. We tested the feasibility of administering one such intervention with minimal clinician intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-seven elderly adults (>64 years old), who each were the primary caregiver for a spouse with dementia, were recruited through the Memory Disorders Clinic of the Alzheimer Disease Research Center in Pittsburgh, PA. Spousal caregivers were instructed to use a handheld computer version of the Adaptive Paced Visual Serial Attention Task (APVSAT) at least three times per week for four weeks as part of a larger caregiver intervention trial (P01 AG020677). Feasibility was explored by examining the frequency of APVSAT usage.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results suggest that self-directed cognitive training is feasible for spousal caregivers of dementia patients. The mean usage of the APVSAT was 42 (SD = 28.58). Performance increased from the beginning to the end of the trial, and usage was not affected by stress, worry, or poor sleep quality.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings suggest the potential utility of cognitive training via handheld computer for spousal caregivers of dementia patients to improve problem solving, coping and adaptation, planning, and persevering with goal-directed tasks.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Health and Community Systems, School of Nursing , University of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh , PA , USA.
authors.forename: Judith A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Callan
authors.affiliation: b Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine , University of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh , PA , USA.
authors.forename: Greg J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Siegle
authors.affiliation: d Department of Medicine, Center for Research on Health Care , University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh , PA , USA.
authors.forename: Kaleab
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Abebe
authors.affiliation: c University of Pittsburgh Medical Center , Pittsburgh , PA , USA.
authors.forename: Beverly
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Black
authors.affiliation: e Human Development and Family Studies , The Pennsylvania State University , University Park , PA , USA.
authors.forename: Lynn
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Martire
authors.affiliation: f Department of Psychiatry, University Center for Social and Urban Research , University of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh , PA , USA.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schulz
authors.affiliation: b Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine , University of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh , PA , USA.
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Reynolds
authors.affiliation: b Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine , University of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh , PA , USA.
authors.forename: Martica H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Hall
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D034201:Computers, Handheld; D003704:Dementia / Q000451:nursing*; D056344:Executive Function / Q000502:physiology*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: cognitive control training; dementia spousal caregivers; handheld computer intervention; neurobehavioral intervention