Evaluating WHO's iSupport Lite for Multilingual Dementia Carers: Results from the Draw-Care trial
Bianca Brijnath

Date and Time

Friday, November 13, 2026, 11:45 AM - 12:00 PM

Theme / Track

Ageing well, longevity and social context

Presentation Format

Concurrent

Background: WHO's iSupport Lite comprises six messages designed to reduce stress and improve the mental health and wellbeing of carers of people with dementia. We culturally adapted iSupport Lite into Draw-Care, a multilingual digital intervention . We evaluated its effectiveness in reducing carer burden and improving mood and quality of life. Methods: We conducted a single-blind, parallel, national community trial with multilingual adult carers. The intervention was delivered online between 1/08/2023 and 8/11/2024, with follow-up at 6 and 12 weeks. The primary outcome was carer burden measured using the ZBI. Secondary outcomes included mood and quality of life measures, and a productivity and activity impairment measure. A realist evaluation applied the Context–Mechanism–Outcome heuristic. Results: Of 116 carers who consented, 93 were included in the analyses, and 37 participated in the realist evaluation. Participants’ mean age was 54.8 years (SD 13.3); and 77.4% were women. We observed significantly higher mean CarerQoL-VAS scores across 6 and 12 weeks in the intervention group compared with controls (mean difference = 0.75; 95% CI 0.25–1.24; p = 0.003). There were no other statistically significant differences. Post hoc analyses among 42 carers reporting work-care role conflict showed significant reductions in ZBI scores at 6 weeks (−7.59; 95% CI −12.97 to −2.22) and 12 weeks (−6.85; 95% CI −12.21 to −1.49). The realist evaluation showed that Draw Care activated cognitive reframing, reduced stigma, validated help-seeking, and strengthened care relationships and mood. Conclusion: Draw Care can improve quality of life overall, and mood and carer burden among carers experiencing work-care role conflict.

Keywords

CALD, Dementia, Informal Caregivers, Non-Pharmacological Interventions

Authors

Antonia Thodis, The George Institute for Global Health
Thu Ha Dang, Swinburne University of Technology
Joanne Enticott, Monash University
Duncan Mortime, Monash University
Simona Markusevska, La Trobe University
Mary Gurgone, Association of Culturally Appropriate Services
Josefine Antoniades, La Trobe University