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Published on: September 25, 2021
A novel two-day intervention reduces stress in caregivers of persons with dementia
Kelsey N Spalding-Wilson1, Edmarie Guzmán-Vélez1,2, Jade Angelica3
1Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Iowa; and Department of Neurology, Division of Neuropsychology and Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Iowa College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA.
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.
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