Evaluating the feasibility of a co-produced, bespoke dementia education programme for formal caregivers of individuals with intellectual disability

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to evaluate a multi-component anxiety management programme for individuals with intellectual disability, focusing on its feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness in supporting development of self-management skills and reducing anxiety. Design: A mixed methods quasi-experimental design was used, with participants recruited and allocated to either the anxiety intervention or treatment as usual group (TAU). Participants’ anxiety symptoms and quality of life were measured at baseline, midpoint and 20 week follow up. Qualitative feedback was collected through interviews with participants and clinicians. Results: High engagement levels demonstrated intervention acceptability, with strong retention rates highlighting feasibility. Participants in the intervention group reported improvements in self-management skills with quantitative data suggesting small reductions in anxiety symptoms compared to TAU. Conclusion: The findings provide promising preliminary evidence for the interventions feasibility, acceptability and its potential to reduce anxiety symptoms. However, its potential value in supporting anxiety self management remains to be fully tested.