Mobile App Psychoeducation for Dementia Caregivers In Vietnam: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Tran To Tran Nguyen,1,2 Lan Duong Tuyet Vu,2 Tuan Chau Nguyen,3 Khoa Tri Truong,1,4 Truc Thanh Thai,5 The Ha Ngoc Than,6 Huan Thanh Nguyen1,7 1Department of Geriatrics and Gerontology, School of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; 2Department of Geriatrics, Nhan dan Gia Dinh Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; 3Department of Rheumatology, University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; 4Tam Anh Ho Chi Minh City General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; 5Department of Medical Statistics and Informatics, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; 6Medical Ethics – Social Medicine – Palliative Care Department, School of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; 7Department of Cardiology, Thong Nhat Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, VietnamCorrespondence: Tran To Tran Nguyen, Department of Geriatrics and Gerontology, School of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, 217 Hong Bang, Ward Cho Lon, Ho Chi Minh City, 700000, Vietnam, Tel +84979635889, Email [email protected]; [email protected]: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a smartphone app–based psychoeducational intervention for caregivers of people with dementia (PwD). Primary outcomes included levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. Secondary outcomes were dementia knowledge, caregiving burden, and perceived social support.Participants and methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted at the Geriatrics Department of a public hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Eligible participants were family caregivers of PwD with at least a fifth-grade education, a caregiving duration of six months or more, a smartphone with the Zalo app (a free messaging platform in Vietnam), and a Stress Thermometer score of 4 or higher. Participants were randomly assigned to the intervention or usual care group in a 1:1 ratio. The intervention was delivered over seven weeks via Zalo and consisted of seven short videos covering dementia progression, daily care, behavioral symptoms, comorbidities, self-care, and caregiver preparation. The intervention was delivered individually to ensure personalized support. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and three-month follow-up.Results: A total of 172 participants were randomized. Compared to the control group, the intervention group showed significant reductions in depression (β = − 4.5, p < 0.001), anxiety (β = − 5.2, p < 0.001), and stress (β = − 6.5, p < 0.001), with effects maintained at the three-month follow-up. Significant improvements were also observed in dementia knowledge (β = 2.3, p < 0.001), perceived social support (β = 0.5, p < 0.001), and caregiving burden (β = − 2.9, p < 0.001), which were sustained over time.Conclusion: This smartphone-based psychoeducational intervention had a positive impact on caregiver mental health and caregiving capacity. Its accessible and scalable design may help overcome geographical and resource barriers in Vietnam and other resource-limited countries.Trial Registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06700551.Keywords: digital intervention, burden, low-resource settings, social support, stress reduction, Zalo app