Dataset: Empowered Conversations feasibility trial

The feasibility trial used a pragmatic data-collector blind parallel two-group RCT design with two arms (EC intervention plus treatment as usual, and treatment as usual waitlist control). There was a 2:1 allocation in favour of the EC arm. Participants completed baseline outcome measures including measures of their psychological health, quality of life and service use.

These were repeated after six-months. </p><p dir="ltr">Results: Seventy-five care partners were recruited. The average number of people randomised per month was 8.9, consistent with the pre-specified average recruitment rate of 6 to 10 carers per month sufficient for proceeding to a multi-centre trial. A total of 58 (77%) participants were retained at 6 months follow up meeting the amber stop-go criterion (65%–<80%; green ≥80% retention). </p><p dir="ltr">Conclusion: The trial indicated feasibility of progressing to an evaluation trial of EC.

Recruitment was a sufficient level for a multi-centre trial across three proposed sites. Retention to follow-up was close to the green criterion, and ways of increasing retention in the evaluation trial have been identified.</p><p><br></p>