FAQ – Mind-Aid Study - Mind-AID study

FAQ – Mind-Aid Study

1. Who is a caregiver?

In Quebec, the Act to recognize and support caregivers (Éditeur officiel du Québec, 2020) defines a “caregiver” as:

Any person who provides support to one or more members of his or her immediate circle who has or have a temporary or permanent physical, psychological, psychosocial or other incapacity, regardless of their age or living environment, and with whom the person shares an emotional bond as a family member or otherwise. The support is continuous or occasional, and short- or long-term, and is provided on a non-professional basis and in a free, enlightened and revocable manner in order, among other things, to promote the care receiver’s recovery and the preservation and improvement of his or her quality of life at home or in other living environments.

Reference: Act to recognize and support caregivers, 2020

2. What is the Mind-AID study?

Mind-AID is an online clinical study designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a mindfulness-based program aimed at reducing repetitive negative thinking and promoting well-being among caregivers of individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease or another neurocognitive disorder. The study compares the impact of the mindfulness program with that of an educational workshop for caregivers.

Both interventions are grounded in the work of experienced researchers in mindfulness and psychosocial support for caregivers of individuals living with neurocognitive disorders. Moreover, the entire Mind-AID study follows a rigorous research protocol, ensuring the strength and scientific validity of the project.

3. What is the time commitment for the study?

The intervention period will be 8 weeks. Depending on the intervention assigned, participants can expect to invest approximately 1 to 5 hours per week. Weekly activities can be carried out at the participant’s own pace and at a time that suits him or her best. The participant will also be asked to complete a brief questionnaire at the end of each week (less than 10 minutes), as well as two follow-up questionnaires once the intervention has been completed (approximately 1 hour each).

4. Will I receive any financial compensation for taking part in the study?

Participants in this study will receive a total compensation of CAN$50, distributed in two parts. The first part, CAN$20, will be awarded after completing the post-intervention assessment (after 8 weeks). The second part, CAN$30, will be given after completing the follow-up assessment (after 20 weeks). To be eligible for compensation, participants must complete the required questionnaires, including either the Mind-AID or EWC assessments. Compensation will be sent electronically via Interac e-Transfer for convenience.

5. Will I need to travel to take part in the Mind-AID study?

The Mind-AID study is 100% online. You will be able to follow the interventions and complete the questionnaires from the location of your choice, as long as you have a stable internet connection. No in-person sessions are planned.

6. What are the eligibility criteria for the Mind-AID study?

Inclusion criteria

To participate in the Mind-AID study, you must meet all of the following criteria:

Be 18 years or older;
Live in Canada;
Be fluent in English or French;
Have access to a stable internet connexion;
Be currently the primary caregiver of someone living with Alzheimer’s disease or another neurocognitive disorder;
Be willing to be randomly assigned to either the Mind-AID program or the EWC (Educational Workshop for Caregivers) control group;
Be experiencing elevated levels of rumination and/or worry.

Exclusion criteria

You are not eligible to participate if any of the following exclusion criteria apply:

You are experiencing high levels of psychological distress that require specialized help;
You have been hospitalized for psychiatric reasons in the past two years;
You have been diagnosed with certain severe mental health conditions (e.g., post-traumatic stress disorder, psychosis, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder);
You are currently receiving psychotherapy;
You are undergoing active cancer treatment (e.g., chemotherapy or radiation);
You are already participating in another trial for caregivers;
You have regularly practiced mindfulness, yoga, or tai chi in the past year;
You are currently enrolled in a structured mindfulness program (e.g., Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction [MBSR], Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy [MBCT], etc.).

7. Do I need to speak and understand French to take part in the Mind-AID study?

No. The Mind-AID study is available in both English and French, and you may choose to participate in the language you are most comfortable with. If you choose to take part in English, you do not need to speak or understand French.

8. Which electronic devices can be used to access interventions and questionnaires?

Depending on what’s most convenient for you, you can access the content of the interventions and all the questionnaires using your cell phone, tablet or computer.

9. What is the expected profile of the person receiving care?

The Mind-AID study is designed for caregivers of individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease or another neurocognitive disorder. According to the Alzheimer Society of Canada (2025), neurocognitive disorders are characterized by a loss of mental faculties that reduce a person’s ability to care for themselves independently. There is a decline in performance in one or more cognitive domains such as memory, complex attention, executive functions (e.g. planning, organization, abstraction), language, visual-motor functions or social skills. Along with Alzheimer’s disease, neurocognitive disorders include, among other, frontotemporal dementia, Lewy body dementia, mixed dementia, vascular dementia and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

Please note that this study is not intended for caregivers of individuals with other conditions such as autism, Parkinson’s disease, or intellectual disability, unless they also have a diagnosed neurocognitive disorder.

Additionally, the study is open only to those who are currently in a caregiving role. Unfortunately, you are not eligible if the person you previously cared for has passed away.