Bio3:P09 - The effects of integrated face-to-face rehabilitation and telerehabilitation on the mood, quality of life and health of older family caregivers
2. Health sciencesSaija Karinkanta1
1 The Social Insurance Institution of Finland, The Research Unit
Introduction
The ongoing demographic change in Europe causes a growing need for effective rehabilitation services for the increasing number of older family caregivers. The Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela) has also integrated telecommunication into several of its own rehabilitation services.
Methods
This study (NCT05678946) examines whether participating in Kela's 5-month integrated face-to-face rehabilitation and telerehabilitation services (INTEG)(n=62) has an effect on the well-being of family caregivers. The changes were compared to those of participating in: 1) short-term Social Holidays for family caregivers (n=67) and 2) Kela's long-term face-to-face rehabilitation services for family caregivers and care recipients (n=66). The mood, quality of life and overall health of 195 family caregivers were assessed using BDI-21, WHOQOL-BREF and PROMIS questionnaires twice: at baseline and after 5–8 months. The changes were analyzed with a paired samples t-test and analysis of covariance.
Results
Minor positive within-group changes were observed in self-rated mood, quality of life and overall health in the INTEG-group. The changes between the INTEG-group and the control groups were statistically significant in the environment domain of WHOQOL-BREF, favoring the INTEG-group. In self-rated mood, a similar trend was seen in the change between the INTEG-group and Social Holidays (p=0.067).
Conclusions
Many negative health outcomes are linked to the role of caregivers. However, participating in integrated face-to-face rehabilitation and telerehabilitation services could have a positive effect on family caregivers’ mood, quality of life and overall health. It seems to be at least as beneficial as participating in more traditional rehabilitation services.