The Effectiveness of Mindfulness- and Acceptance-Based Interventions for Informal Caregivers of People With Dementia: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract

The low attrition and moderate to large effects suggest that MABIs are acceptable and beneficial for informal caregivers of PwD. The lack of significant moderators could advocate services using more cost-effective forms of MABIs. Further higher-quality research is needed to improve the robustness of the evidence base and enable a meta-analysis to thoroughly examine and quantify moderator variables.

A comprehensive meta-review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses on nonpharmacological interventions for informal dementia caregivers

“…Findings based on only one intervention study within each review do not appear in Table 2; thus this meta-review focuses on findings with a certain degree of replication, or lack of, at the time of publication of each of the reviews. The effectiveness of psychoeducation was addressed in 14 reviews [12,23,28,29,34,37,41,49,51,53,58,62,66,70], counseling and psychotherapy -10 reviews [12,22,29,32,36,37,53,57,58,66], occupational therapy (OT) interventions -2 reviews [16,66], mindfulness-based interventions (e.g., mantra repetition, meditation, yoga, mindfulness-based stress reduction) -5 reviews [21,22,33,38,43], support interventions (e.g., support groups, mobilizing informal networks) -5 reviews [12,24,49,59,62], communication skills training -3 reviews [27,47,48], respite -6 reviews [12,22,45,63,65,…”

“…Among the 43 reviews that analyzed burden (including measures of overload, stress and behavioral bother), over half (k = 28) provided support for intervention effects. Burden was found to be reduced by psychoeducation [12,34,37,51,53,58,66], counseling/psychotherapy [12,32,36,53] OT interventions, [16], mindfulness-based interventions [21,33,38], communication training [47], respite/ day care [12,63], home support [20], care coordination/ case management [15,53], physical activity interventions [50], multicomponent interventions [14,31], dyadic interventions [39], technology-based interventions [17,28,46,51,54], and miscellaneous or intervention programs in general [12,19,35,53,61].…”

A novel two‐day intervention reduces stress in caregivers of persons with dementia

“…It has been hypothesized that mindfulnessbased interventions may provide caregivers an opportunity to notice their unhelpful reactions or thought patterns in response to caregiving and detach from "autopilot" [30]. Furthermore, nonjudgmental acceptance, a key element of mindfulness, may also help caregivers engage in a full and rich life despite the stress and demands associated with caregiving for someone with a neurodegenerative disease [28,29]. In the present study, mindfulness exercises were designed to help caregivers identify and understand their own emotions as well as those of the individual with dementia, and engage fully in the present moment with the individual for whom they are caring.…”

Self‐compassion as an applicable intervention target for family carers of older adults: A conceptual commentary

“…Mindfulness approaches typically achieve this through focusing on the nonjudgemental awareness and acceptance of present‐moment experiences; acceptance‐based approaches typically focus on the acceptance of thoughts and feelings using an action‐orientated approach; and compassion‐based approaches focus on the cultivation of compassionate feelings for self and others. Findings from reviews and meta‐analyses demonstrate potential effectiveness of these approaches in improving symptoms of depression, burden, stress, and anxiety for older family carer populations, most particularly carers of people with dementia . However, in terms of self‐compassion interventions specifically, which is the focus of this paper, there is scant evidence available and it appears to be a largely neglected research area within family carers of older adults.…”

“…Findings from reviews and meta-analyses demonstrate potential effectiveness of these approaches in improving symptoms of depression, burden, stress, and anxiety for older family carer populations, most particularly carers of people with dementia. 38 However, in terms of selfcompassion interventions specifically, which is the focus of this paper, there is scant evidence available and it appears to be a largely neglected research area within family carers of older adults. Nevertheless, as we will describe in the remainder of this article, there are a number of theoretical indicators to suggest self-compassion could be a potentially relevant and alternate approach to improving the emotional health of this population and is, therefore, a research area deserved of further attention.…”