Efficacy of yoga for caregivers of persons with dementia: An integrative review

Abstract

BackgroundThe progressive nature of dementia leaves the person vulnerable and dependent on others for care. While persons with dementia often have better outcomes when cared for at home, it can lead to personal challenges and self‐neglect of the caregiver. Mindfulness‐based interventions such as yoga can lessen the potential negative effects encountered by caregivers of persons with dementia.AimThe aim of this review was to synthesise available empirical research related to the role of yoga on the biopsychosocial health outcomes for caregivers of persons with dementia population.MethodA systematic search of the databases Academic Search Complete, CINAHL Plus, Medline and PsychINFO was done using the terms “yoga” AND “caregivers or family members or informal caregivers” AND “dementia or Alzheimer's.” Using the selection process outlined by the PRISMA framework, thirty‐six studies met the initial criteria and were potentially relevant to the topic. A methodological check was performed using the critical appraisal tool of Melnyk and Fineout‐Overholt and the GRADE system of recommendation. This process led to the inclusion of four articles.FindingsFour studies were included for this review: two randomised controlled trials, a non‐randomised intervention study with a waitlist and a pilot cohort study. Three studies focused on informal caregivers and one study involved professional caregivers. In all studies, yoga practices included asanas, pranayama, relaxation and meditation. This integrative review recommended that yoga may be useful in reducing stress, depression and anxiety while increasing quality of life indicators, vitality indicators, self‐compassion scores, mindfulness attention, sleep quality and diastolic blood pressure. Outcomes that were not significantly changed were caregiver burden, systolic blood pressure and heart rate. However, the level of evidence was moderate with small sample sizes suggesting additional research is needed to include well‐designed randomised controlled trials with larger sample sizes.

Feasibility and Preliminary Impact of a Web-Based Mind Body Intervention for Older Dementia Caregivers

“…17 These outcome variables were operationalized as mutuality (emotional), depression and anxiety (mental), loneliness and social support (social), quality of life (experiential), and physical function (behavioral), and were included based on our previous work and that of others. 18,19 Intervention development was framed within the Eastern mind-body practice of yoga used to treat physical and mental distress including Pranayamam (breathing) and Asana (physical postures). 20 Breathing movement is thought to improve emotional and nervous system regulation through enhanced focus on the “here and now” to temper emotional highs and lows.…”