Testing the effects of a text message intervention on depression and distress among Latino dementia caregivers: a randomized controlled trial protocol

medRxiv [Preprint]. 2025 Sep 18:2025.09.16.25335909. doi: 10.1101/2025.09.16.25335909.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Latino caregivers have poor mental health and access to caregiver support services. Here, we describe the protocol for a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate the effect of a text message intervention on depression and distress among informal Latino dementia caregivers. We will also assess mechanisms of action.

METHODS: We are enrolling 288 Latino dementia informal caregivers 18 or older into a parallel group RCT. Participants randomized to the intervention group receive a remote, asynchronous, bilingual, bi-directional, six-month texting program focused on dementia education, skill-building and community resources. The control group enters a 7-month waitlist after which they are offered the same intervention as the intervention group. Randomization is stratified by each of the four recruitment sites at a 1:1 ratio. Outcomes (e.g., caregiver depressive symptomatology, distress) are measured via surveys at baseline, 3, 6 and 7 months.

CONCLUSIONS: This RCT addresse two priority areas: eliminating dementia disparities and optimizing caregiver support. Findings have the potential to make clinical and policy-relevant contributions by providing appropriate caregiver support to Latinos in a highly scalable way. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov # NCT06728436 . University of Kansas Medical Center STUDY00150585.

PMID:41001476 | PMC:PMC12458488 | DOI:10.1101/2025.09.16.25335909