Effect of education and muscle relaxation program on anxiety, depression and care burden in caregivers of acute stroke survivors

Abstract

This study intended to discover the effect of education and muscle relaxation (EMR) program on anxiety, depression and care burden among caregivers of acute stroke survivors. This randomized, controlled study enrolled a total of 110 caregivers of first-ever acute stroke patients, and randomly assigned to EMR (N = 55) and control (N = 55) groups. The caregivers in the EMR group received 12-month health education and progressive muscle relaxation, and those in control group were provided common rehabilitation advices. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale in caregivers were evaluated at the time of patients’ discharge from hospital (M0), then at month(M) 3, M6 and M12 after the discharge. HADS-anxiety score, anxiety rate and severity were similar at M0, M3, while were reduced at M6 and M12 in EMR group compared to control group. Furthermore, HADS-depression score was similar at M0 and M3 but was decreased at M6 and M12 in EMR group compared with control group, however, there was no difference of depression rate and severity between the 2 groups at each time point. Moreover, Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale score was similar at M0 and M3, but was decreased at M6 and M12; meanwhile, degree of care burden was similar at M0, M3 and M6, but was reduced at M12 in EMR group compared to control group. EMR program decreases anxiety, depression and care burden in caregivers of acute stroke survivors, suggesting its potential in improving mental health and further promoting quality of lives in these caregivers.

Systematic Review of the Evidence for Stroke Family Caregiver and Dyad Interventions

“…Studies that combined skilled building with psychoeducation in this review provided the most positive caregiver and survivor outcomes. 19,20,26,28,32…”

“…24 Caregiver anxiety and depression were measured in 5 studies using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. [24][25][26]28,29 Other anxiety and depression measures included the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, 19,21,30 Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System-Depression Short Form 8b, 35 Patient Health Questionnaire-9, 31 Beck Depression Scale, 27 Zung Self-rating Anxiety Scale, 28 and the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale. 28 Several studies measured caregiver health-related quality of life using the same measures that were used for stroke survivors (ie, Older People's Quality of Life Questionnaire, 35 the Satisfaction with Life Scale, 32 and the EuroQol European Quality of Life EuroQol 24,25 ).…”

The effect of self-management program on perceived social support of family caregivers of stroke patients

“…A study on the FCGs of patients with dementia also showed the positive effects of SM on PSS (35). Moreover, a study found that health education programs significantly improved social health among the FCGs of PWS (36). PSS among the FCGs of patients with epilepsy and PWS has significant direct relationships with their SM ability, quality of life (35), and mental health (37).…”

Loneliness, Anxiety, Depression, and Adoption of the Role of Caregiver of Older Adults with Chronic Diseases during COVID-19

“…However, anxiety and depression are not independent variables, as the literature shows a correlation between them; anxiety is a predictor of depression. In combination, both are variables associated with a more significant burden and lower quality of life in the caregiver (17,18).…”