Behavioral interventions can reduce distress for couples coping with early-stage dementia. However, most interventions are limited in accessibility and fail to address individualized goals. This pilot study examined the dyadic effects on multiple indicators of well-being of the Wish Outcome Obstacle Plan (WOOP) intervention which guides participants to use Mental Contrasting with Implementation Intentions (MCII) to achieve attainable goals in their daily lives.
This randomized controlled trial included 45 older persons with early-stage dementia (PWD) and their spousal care partners (CPs: n = 90 individuals). CPs were assigned randomly to WOOP training immediately after baseline (WOOP) or after a three-month follow-up interview (Control; CON). Both groups received a dementia care education booklet. WOOP CPs were instructed to practice WOOP at least once a day for two weeks. All CPs and PWDs completed home surveys (baseline, two-weeks, and three months) measuring perceived stress, depressive symptoms, quality of life, and affect.
Mixed effects models showed significant intervention x time interaction effects with large effect sizes for CPs on three of the five outcomes over three months. Compared to CON, WOOP CPs had decreased perceived stress (δ = 1.71) and increased quality of life (δ = 1.55) and positive affect (δ = 2.30). WOOP PWD showed decreased perceived stress (δ = .87) and increased quality of life (δ = 1.26) but these effects were not statistically significant.
WOOP is a promising, brief intervention to improve dementia care partners’ well-being that may also positively impact their partners with dementia.