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Improving the health and well-being of community-dwelling caregivers of dementia sufferers: study protocol of a randomized controlled trial of structured meditation training.

Matthew J Leach, Andrew D Francis, Tahereh Ziaian

The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine February 1, 2014 DOI: 10.1089/acm.2013.0170 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Pilot prospective, single-center, randomized wait-list controlled trial Peer reviewed
Population Community-dwelling carers of persons with diagnosed dementia in metropolitan Adelaide, South Australia
Intervention Transcendental Meditation
Duration 12-week intervention, 24-week follow-up
Topics Meditation
Key findings This is a study protocol; no results are reported. The authors propose that if Transcendental Meditation is shown to be effective, it could indicate a simple, cost-effective, and easily implemented strategy to assist caregivers in coping with the demanding caregiver role.

Abstract

Caring for a person with dementia can be an unrelenting and burdensome task, one that is often detrimental to the caregiver's health, well-being, and functionality. The enduring stress and frustration of the caregiver role can also contribute to poorer outcomes for dementia sufferers. Building on growing clinical interest in the capacity for Transcendental Meditation(®) (TM; a relaxation technique) to reduce stress and anxiety in healthy workers, this study examines whether similar improvements could be experienced by dementia caregivers. The study objective was to ascertain whether a TM program can improve psychological stress, quality of life, affect, and cognitive performance of dementia caregivers. The study was a pilot prospective, single-center, randomized wait-list controlled trial with two parallel arms. Community-dwelling carers of persons with diagnosed dementia, residing in metropolitan Adelaide, South Australia, were included in this study. Participants will be randomly assigned to a 13-hour TM training program or wait-list control over 12 weeks. Primary outcomes include quality of life and stress. Secondary outcomes include affect, cognitive performance, cost-effectiveness, and study feasibility. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, week 12 (postintervention), and week 24 (follow-up). Results are expected to be available early in 2014. This project responds to a need for robust evidence of the clinical and economic effectiveness of TM for the management of caregiver stress. If Transcendental Meditation is shown to be effective, it could indicate a simple, cost-effective, and easily implemented strategy to assist many of the growing numbers of caregivers to cope with the demanding and often difficult caregiver role.

Comparable studies

Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment 2003 Randomized controlled trial n = 41
Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients 2000 Randomized controlled trial n = 145
Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults 2008 Randomized controlled trial n = 139
Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students 2007 Randomized controlled trial n = 40
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients 2004 Randomized controlled trial n = 73

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