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

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.

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.

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.

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.