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

Kelsey N Spalding‐Wilson; Edmarie Guzmán‐Vélez; Jade Angelica; Kelsey Wiggs; Anya Savransky; Daniel Tranel

doi:10.1016/j.trci.2018.08.004

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

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

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

Kelsey N Spalding‐Wilson, Edmarie Guzmán‐Vélez, Jade Angelica, Kelsey Wiggs, Anya Savransky and Daniel Tranel

Alzheimer's & dementia : translational research & clinical interventions, Vol.4(1), pp.450-460

2018

DOI: 10.1016/j.trci.2018.08.004

PMCID: PMC6153380

PMID: 30258974

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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trci.2018.08.004View

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Abstract

Introduction Caregivers of individuals with dementia are at heightened risk for stress‐related mental and physical illnesses, and this problem is growing. There is a critical need to develop effective interventions for caregivers. This study tested whether a 2‐day intervention improved psychological health in caregivers of individuals with dementia. Methods Family caregivers (N = 104) were randomly assigned to a 2‐day intervention or wait‐list control group. The intervention uses techniques aimed at fostering self‐care for caregivers and improving communication between caregivers and individuals with dementia. Self‐reported caregiver burden, stress, anxiety, and depression were measured at 1, 3, and 6 months after intervention. Results Most participants (91.5%) completed the entire study. The intervention significantly reduced perceived stress for up to 6 months (Β = ‐2.84, t = ‐2.68, P = .008) and was considered by nearly all respondents to be helpful for managing challenging behaviors. Discussion A low‐cost, brief intervention shows promise for producing lasting improvements in caregiver's psychological health. Highlights A 2‐day intervention reduced stress in family caregivers of persons with dementia. Family caregivers reported less stress up to 6 months after intervention. This brief and affordable intervention can improve caregivers' psychological health.

Validation

Memory impairment

Acceptance

Psychological well‐being

Mental health

Improvisation

Mindfulness

Alzheimer's disease

Details

Title: Subtitle: A novel two‐day intervention reduces stress in caregivers of persons with dementia
Creators: Kelsey N Spalding‐Wilson - University of Iowa College of Medicine
Edmarie Guzmán‐Vélez - Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School
Jade Angelica - Healing Moments for Alzheimer's/Healing Moments, Inc
Kelsey Wiggs - University of Iowa College of Medicine
Anya Savransky - University of Iowa College of Medicine
Daniel Tranel - University of Iowa College of Medicine
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Alzheimer's & dementia : translational research & clinical interventions, Vol.4(1), pp.450-460
DOI: 10.1016/j.trci.2018.08.004
PMID: 30258974
PMCID: PMC6153380
NLM abbreviation: Alzheimers Dement (N Y)
ISSN: 2352-8737
eISSN: 2352-8737
Number of pages: 11
Grant note: Kiwanis International Fraternal Order of Eagles National Science Foundation (1048957)
Language: English
Date published: 2018
Academic Unit: Neurology; Psychological and Brain Sciences; Iowa Neuroscience Institute
Record Identifier: 9984070437802771

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