Effects of empathy training on psychological concerns and empathy in caregivers of older people: A randomized, double-blind, crossover, clinical trial with follow-up

Objectives To investigate the effects of empathy training on psychological concerns and empathy in caregivers of older people. Methods A randomized, double-blind, crossover, clinical trial with follow-up was conducted online. Thirty paid and unpaid caregivers of older people from different regions of Brazil participated in an empathy training program. The caregivers answered a sociodemographic questionnaire and measures for the evaluation of empathy (affective and cognitive domains), burden, the impact of providing care as well as depressive symptoms and psychiatric symptoms before and immediately after training. Empathy and its domains were also assessed at three post-intervention follow-ups. Results Empathy training diminished levels of psychological concerns. Moreover, an increase was found in levels of cognitive empathy 15, 30 and 60 days after the intervention. Conclusions Empathy training with a focus on cognitive empathy diminished psychological concerns in caregivers of older people and increased the levels of this ability over time. This intervention can be considered a coping strategy for negative impacts related to providing care.