Peaceful mind: an open trial of cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety in persons with dementia

Abstract

Background Anxiety has a high prevalence among individuals with dementia, and it has a significant negative impact on their functioning; yet intervention studies are lacking. We developed Peaceful Mind, a cognitive-behavioral intervention for persons with dementia. In this article, we describe the intervention and results of an open trial evaluating the feasibility and utility of the intervention and assessment procedures. Methods Peaceful Mind is implemented over a period of 3 months in the participant's home with involvement of a caregiver or “collateral.” Dyads are followed for an additional 3 months via telephone. An assortment of simplified skills is offered, including self-awareness, breathing, behavioral activation, calming thoughts, and sleep skills. Results Nine participants were enrolled, eight completed the 3-month assessment, and seven completed the 6-month assessment. Overall, participants and collaterals were satisfied with the intervention and reported that they benefited in terms of anxiety, depression, and collateral distress. Conclusions A randomized controlled trial would help determine whether this promising new treatment has a statistically significant impact on anxiety in this population.

Adjustment, depression, and anxiety in mild cognitive impairment and early dementia: a systematic review of psychological intervention studies

“…Using a more lenient method for assessing change (i.e. a 20% reduction in scores on depression and anxiety scales from baseline), Paukert et al (2010) showed only a modest level of improvement. According to Paukert et al (2010), 75% of participants showed an improvement in depression at three months and 57% at six months, and 25% of participants showed improvement in anxiety at three months and 57% at six months.…”

Correlation between both Morphologic and Functional Changes and Anxiety in Alzheimer's Disease

“…Calleo et al [19] reported that 43% of the patients with AD and anxiety who had a Neuropsychiatric Inventory score for anxiety of more than 4 points met the criteria for GAD. Some reports indicated that treatments for anxiety disorder, including short-acting benzodiazepine or cognitive behavioral therapy, were also effective for the treatment of anxiety in AD [20,21,22]. However, a consensus on how to define anxiety in dementia, including AD, has not yet been achieved [16].…”

Anxiety and Stigma in Dementia

“…60–62 CBT skills such as diaphragmatic breathing and coping statements were implemented in two case studies conducted by Kraus and colleagues (61). Skills were simplified in order to address comprehension, learning, memory and application issues that may arise when working with PwD.…”