Abstract
BACKGROUND: Self-quantification (SQ) tools, which enable individuals to track and reflect on health-related data, show promise for improving caregivers' mental health. However, their effectiveness in reducing caregiver burden and depression remains largely underexplored. This study aimed to evaluate whether the Caregiving Visualisation Project (CARE-VIP), which incorporates SQ tools, reduces caregiver burden and depression. METHODS: A web-based survey was conducted among family caregivers providing care to individuals aged 65 years or older living at home and certified under the Japanese long-term care insurance system. Participants were recruited through an Internet research company. After completing the baseline survey, the participants were invited to join the CARE-VIP program. Among them, those who chose to participate in CARE-VIP used the SQ tool twice a day for 60 days to complete surveys on caregiving activities, health status and mood and wore an actigraph device to continuously record sleep and physical activity, such as step counts, throughout the day and night. Those who chose not to participate in CARE-VIP completed only the follow-up survey. A total of 1628 caregivers who completed both baseline and follow-up surveys were included in the analysis. We assessed caregiver burden using the Japanese Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview (J-ZBI-8) and depression measured using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D-11). A multivariate regression analysis, adjusted for caregiver and care recipient factors, was conducted utilising inverse probability weighting to compare the outcomes between groups. RESULTS: A total of 187 (11.5%) CARE-VIP participants demonstrated significant reductions in caregiver burden (B: -2.63, 95% CI: -3.96 to -1.29) and depression (B: -1.73, 95% CI: -2.79 to -0.68) compared to non-CARE-VIP participants. CONCLUSIONS: The CARE-VIP program effectively reduced caregiver burden and depression. These findings suggest that SQ tools may support caregivers' mental health by facilitating daily recording and monitoring of caregiving experiences.