An Integrative Stress Reduction Program for Family Caregivers of Persons With Advanced Dementia: A Pilot Study

Abstract

The current study sought to pilot test and examine the effects of an integrative stress reduction program (ISRP) on caregiver stress and sleep quality and behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) of care recipients. Family caregivers ( N = 12) of persons with moderate to severe dementia were recruited from memory clinics in Thailand. Twelve caregivers participated in five educational sessions on dementia care, stress, and BPSD management over 4 weeks. The Relative Stress Scale and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were used to measure caregiver outcomes. The Neuropsychiatric Inventory was used to measure BPSD of care recipients. Outcome variables were collected at baseline, postintervention, and follow up. Data were analyzed using one-way repeated measures analysis of variance. Participants reported statistically decreased stress, improved sleep quality, and decreased BPSD among care recipients postintervention and at follow up (all p < 0.001). The ISRP was feasible and shows promise in reducing stress and improving sleep quality in caregivers and lessening BPSD in care recipients. [ Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 48 (10), 26–32.]

Integrative Stress Reduction Program for Family Caregivers of Persons With Advanced Dementia: A Randomized-Controlled Trial

“…The program offers a new option for training Thai caregivers of people with dementia to improve their health and caregiving skills that can be implemented in community settings, where few such options exist. 18…”

“…Third, the length of the program of 4 weeks was not burdensome for the caregivers in this study nor in the pilot study. 18 Those who participated in the intervention completed the entire program, except for 2 caregivers who experienced the death of their family member, indicating a high motivation to learn about caregiving and address their stress. Overall, our results are consistent with studies of Kor et al 13 and Shata et al 12 who also reported large effects of their interventions.…”

“…The scale has been used to measure caregiver stress, was available in the Thai language, and was used successfully in the pilot study. 8,18 The 15-item RSS has 3 dimensions: personal distress, degree of life upset, and negative feelings toward the person with dementia. Participants rate the frequency or severity of their stress on a five-point scale scored 0 to 4 (e.g., “never,” “rarely,” “sometimes,” “frequently,” and “always”).…”

“…The pilot findings yielded good feasibility of the program, and no dropouts or adverse events occurred. 18 As a result, we implemented the Integrative Stress Reduction Program similar to that used in the pilot.…”

“…The program was pilot-tested on a group of 12 family caregivers of people with dementia to determine its feasibility. 18 The findings showed that caregiver stress decreased significantly ( p < .05) and sleep quality increased significantly at the posttest compared to the pretest ( p < .05). Caregivers also identified lower neuropsychiatric symptoms in their family members with dementia ( p < .05).…”