Feasibility and Acceptability of Group-Based Interventions (Offered in English and Spanish) for Caregivers of Children With LAD
Background Caregivers of children with learning and attentional disabilities (LAD) are at risk for chronic stress and its sequalae, yet there are few interventions to support these caregivers. Objective Assess the feasibility and acceptability of a mind-body resiliency group intervention for caregivers of children with LAD. Methods Four adapted groups of the Stress Management and Resiliency Training (SMART-LAD) and, its comparator, the Health Education Program (HEP-LAD) were offered to English and Spanish speaking caregivers of children with LAD. Caregivers were recruited from a family services organization who completed baseline and post-treatment surveys. Results From 12/24-2/25, 28 participants were enrolled in four groups. 94.6% screened were eligible (35/37); 80% (28/35) enrolled. 83% completed the follow-up survey. Two-thirds attended 6 or more sessions. 91.7% of participants in both groups expressed comfort/trust. Conclusion Both interventions are feasible and acceptable. The SMART-LAD program may have fostered deeper engagement and content satisfaction. clinicaltrials.gov registry Resiliency Programming for Caregivers of Children with Learning and Attentional Difficulties (SPARK), https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06492278 , NCT06492278 IRB 2024P001219.
Authors
- Karen López (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9420-5047)
- Lucy Finkelstein‐Fox (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7799-9164)
- Karen Kuhlthau (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7315-3882)
- Brett Goshe (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7417-7488)
- Brian Winklosky
- Gabriella Nicolosi
- Brittain Mahaffey
- Giselle K. Perez
- Pam Nourse
- Esteban Barreto
- Elyse R. Park (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6319-264X)
- Carolina Abuelo
- Rosalie Rippey
- Rachel A. Millstein
- Ruth de la Cruz
- Isabelle Miranda (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-0466-9235)
- Renee Williams
Institutions
- Boston Children's Hospital (US)
- Harvard University (US)
- Stony Brook School (US)
- Massachusetts General Hospital (US)
- Center For Children With Special Needs (US)
- Stony Brook University (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Global Advances in Integrative Medicine and Health
- Published
- 2026-05-01
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1177/27536130261442880
- Primary Topic
- Family and Disability Support Research
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health