Exploring a Facilitator-Enabled Flexible iSupport for Dementia Program: An Internal Pilot Mixed-Methods Study

To assess the feasibility, fidelity and preliminary impact of a facilitator-enabled flexible iSupport for dementia program for family carers of people with dementia in a 6-month intervention period.

This study was a multi-centre, mixed-methods, parallel-group, internal, block-pilot, randomised controlled trial with an embedded qualitative descriptive study.

The study was conducted across two community aged care services and two tertiary hospitals in Australia. Participants were recruited between June 2022 and April 2023. Quantitative data were collected via surveys at baseline and 6 months. Qualitative data were obtained from carer support group meetings and interviews.

Eighty-four carers were enrolled. The recruitment rate was 10% of eligible carers who were approached, and retention in the intervention group at 6 months was 70%. Findings indicate that carers engaged with the program, although engagement varied across components including use of the iSupport manual, participation in online peer support meetings and interaction via WhatsApp. Preliminary analyses suggested a possible trend toward lower behavioural problems among people living with dementia and lower carer distress responses to these behaviours in the intervention group. However, there was no clear evidence of effects on carers' quality of life, perceived social support, self-efficacy, or the quality of life of people living with dementia. Findings from the pilot informed modifications to enhance the feasibility of the main trial.

This internal pilot study demonstrated the feasibility of a facilitator-enabled iSupport program and provided preliminary estimates suggesting potential benefits for behavioural outcomes. The results informed refinements to the main trial and highlight the importance of flexible, facilitator-supported interventions for carers of people living with dementia. Further research in a fully powered trial is required to confirm effectiveness.

Carers of people living with dementia in the community valued the flexible support provided by iSupport facilitators. This support can be delivered in multiple formats, including online meetings, WhatsApp groups and tailored one-to-one facilitator support, allowing flexibility to meet diverse caregiver needs. Such an approach is particularly relevant for nurse-led multidisciplinary services and settings that provide remote care. In addition, this study offers practical insights into feasibility considerations, such as recruitment, engagement and retention, that may inform the design and implementation of future nursing and community-based interventions.

This study provides preliminary evidence on how facilitator-enabled flexible support can be implemented in community settings, informing the design and delivery of future dementia care interventions. Findings suggest that carers can engage with and benefit from structured, facilitator-supported interventions delivered in flexible formats and may experience potential benefits that warrant further evaluation. Facilitator-enabled flexible support has the potential to complement existing services for carers of people living with dementia and may help address unmet support needs in community settings.

We adhered to the CONSORT 2010 statement and its extension for randomised pilot and feasibility trials. We also reported in accordance with the Good Reporting of A Mixed Methods Study (GRAMMS).

Participants in this study included carers of people living with dementia in the community, supported by health and social care professionals from the four participating organisations.

The randomised controlled trial protocol was registered with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (Registration No. ACTRN12622000199718).