Caregiver Tele-support Group for Parkinson's Disease: A Pilot Study (P2.050)

Objective: To investigate the feasibility of a caregiver telesupport group in Parkinson9s Disease and its impact on caregiver burden. Background: Parkinson9s Disease (PD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease that results in progressively disabling symptoms which often require the need of a caregiver. Caregiver burden has been shown to increase caregiver stress and reduce quality of life. Support groups for PD patients have been shown effective, but programs for PD caregivers have not been studied. Multifactorial barriers to accessing subspecialty care and resources have been recognized. Telehealth and employing remote technologies to enhance the level of care for PD are valuable and an area of emphasis and growth. Offering a telesupport group to PD caregivers would be an innovative approach to extending a novel resource. Design/Methods: A single-center quasi-experimental pilot study was conducted at the Philadelphia Parkinson9s Disease Research, Education and Clinical Center (PADRECC) enrolling PD caregivers in an 8-week caregiver telesupport group program. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and conclusion of the program using self-report questionnaires (American Medical Association Caregiver Self-Assessment, Geriatric Depression Scale, Zarit Burden Interview and Family Caregiver Assessment). Results: Seven female Caucasian veteran spouse caregivers enrolled, ranging from 64-80 years old. Veterans were 66-82 years old. Mean duration of PD was 7 years (SD: 4.3) with a mean Hoehn and Yahr of 3.1 (SD: 0.7). Six (86%) caregivers completed the program. Nonparametric statistical analysis did not show significant changes in questionnaire scores. However, some trends were noted. The mean GDS decreased from 4.2 to 3, and some individual question responses indicated improvement after the intervention. Conclusions: The use of telesupport groups for PD caregivers is a feasible and innovative resource to address and potentially improve caregiver burden. Increasing sample sizes and exploring additional caregiver burden assessment tools will help further study this novel caregiver resource. Disclosure: Dr. Shah has nothing to disclose. Dr. Glenn has nothing to disclose. Dr. Hummel has nothing to disclose. Dr. Hamilton has nothing to disclose. Dr. Martine has nothing to disclose. Dr. Wilkinson has nothing to disclose.