The use of modified Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy programme for family caregivers of people living with dementia: a feasibility study.

Both a modified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programme and a modified Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) programme are feasible and acceptable for family caregivers of people with dementia. In a randomized trial with 57 participants, high attendance (over 70%) and low attrition (3.77%) were observed. Within groups, both interventions reduced perceived stress, depressive symptoms, and subjective caregiver burden, with moderate to large effect sizes. The modified MBCT showed a larger effect on stress reduction than the modified MBSR. The authors suggest MBCT may be more suitable for these caregivers, but note that a future clinical trial is needed to confirm effectiveness.

Study at a glance

Abstract

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a modified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programme and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) programme for reducing the stress, depressive symptoms, and subjective burden of family caregivers of people with dementia (PWD). METHODS A prospective, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial design was adopted. Fifty-seven participants were recruited from the community and randomized into either the modified MBSR group (n = 27) or modified MBCT group (n = 26), receiving seven face-to-face intervention sessions over 16 weeks. Various psychological outcomes were measured at baseline (T0), immediately post-intervention (T1), and at the 3-month follow-up (T2). RESULTS Both interventions were found to be feasible in view of the high attendance (over 70.0%) and low attrition (3.77%) rates. The mixed ANOVA results showed positive within-group effects on perceived stress (p = .030, Cohen's d = .54), depressive symptoms (p = .002, Cohen's d = .77), and subjective caregiver burden (p < .001, Cohen's d = 1.12) in both interventions across the time points, while the modified MBCT had a larger effect on stress reduction, compared with the modified MBSR (p = .019). CONCLUSIONS Both the modified MBSR and MBCT are acceptable to family caregivers of PWD. Their preliminary effects were improvements in stress, depressive symptoms, and subjective burden. The modified MBCT may be more suitable for caregivers of PWD than the MBSR. A future clinical trial is needed to confirm their effectiveness in improving the psychological well-being of caregivers of PWD.