Caregiver Stress and Sleep Study

Recruiting now · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Depressive Symptoms, Caregiver Burden

In brief

The purpose of this research study is to better understand how stress, sleep and activity might impact caregivers' mood and brain health. This study includes a randomized experimental component where therapists will systematically deliver one of two evidence-based talk-therapy treatments. The aim is to evaluate effects on meaningful health-relevant measures including morning activation levels, depression symptoms, rumination, and aspects brain connectivity previously linked with depression. Participants will complete surveys about their caregiving experiences, health, and mood, undergo an MRI, and wear an actigraphy watch that measures activity levels throughout the day and when sleeping.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT05219955

Run by

University of Pittsburgh

People needed

120

Starts

2022-07-15

Expected to finish

2027-06-30

Last updated by the study team

2026-05-19

Who can join

Age: 55 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Age 55 years or older.
• Provide at least 15 hours/week of unpaid care to a patient with a dementia diagnosis.
• Reporting stress or strain delivering care
• No or stable pharmacotherapy for depression
• Meets screening definition for having morning activation difficulty or a definite morning type per the Composite Morningness Questionnaire (CMQ)

You may not qualify if…

• Unsafe or unable to undergo MRI
• Active Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for mood or insomnia
• Probable dementia diagnosis
• Deadly illness or plans to leave the study area
• Current active substance use disorder

Where it is running

• UPMC Western Behavioral Health — Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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