Dementia stigma reduction (DESeRvE) through education and virtual contact in the general public: A multi-arm factorial randomised controlled trial

Objective: To examine the efficacy of the Dementia Stigma Reduction (DESeRvE) programme, aimed at reducing the general public dementia-related stigma utilising ‘education’ and ‘contact’ approaches. Methods: A total of 1024 Australians aged between 40 and 87 years (M = 60.8, SD = 10.1) participated in a factorial randomised controlled trial. This trial examined four conditions: online education programme (ED), contact through simulated contact with people with dementia and carers (CT), education and contact (ED+CT) and active control. Cognitive, emotional and behavioural aspects of dementia-related stigma were measured with a modified Attribution Questionnaire, and dementia knowledge was measured with the Dementia Knowledge Assessment Scale at the baseline, immediately and 12 weeks after the completion of the intervention. Results: All four groups improved (reduction in scores) significantly from baseline to week 12 in dementia-related stigma, and the effects were stronger for those with higher baseline stigma scores. Intervention groups also improved significantly from baseline in dementia knowledge. Especially, the ED (β =.85, SE =.07; p <.001) and ED+CT (β =.78, SE =.08; p <.001) groups at immediate follow-up and CT (β =.21, SE =.09; p <.05) and ED+CT (β =.32, SE =.09; p <.001) at 12-week follow-up showed significant effects. Conclusions: Findings suggest that DESeRvE can be a valuable tool to enhance public’s dementia knowledge and reduce dementia-related stigma, especially for those with higher levels of stigma. Reduction in stigma, however, may take a longer time to achieve, whereas improvement in dementia knowledge is instant.