Do memory clinics improve the quality of life of carers? A randomized pilot trial

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of attendance at a memory clinic on the psychosocial health of carers. DESIGN: Randomized control trial. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty community dwelling subjects with mild to moderate dementia and their carers. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Carer burden, psychological morbidity and psychosocial health related quality of life at 6 and 12 months post intervention. MAIN RESULTS: There was significant improvement in psychosocial health related quality of life of carers as measured by the psychosocial domain of the Functional Limitation Profile (FLP) at 6 months (p < 0.01), including improvement in the subgroups of alertness behaviour (p < 0.05) and social interaction (p < 0.01), after adjustment for age of subject and baseline scores. The improvement in social interaction was maintained at 12 months (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in carer psychological morbidity (General Health Questionnaire), carer burden (Zarit family interview) or carer knowledge of dementia (Dementia Knowledge Test) at 6 or 12 months, between groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate improved psychosocial health related quality of life for carers of those with mild to moderate cognitive impairment attending a memory clinic. Further research in this area is indicated, comparing memory clinic intervention with alternative support.