Tele-Mindfulness for Dementia's Family Caregivers: A Randomized Trial with a Usual Care Control Group.
Shadi Zarei, Gita Lakhanpal, Joel Sadavoy
Current Alzheimer Research 2022 DOI: 10.2174/1567205019666220514131015 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 26 |
| Population | Family caregivers of individuals with dementia (88% female; mean age 60±13 years; 70% caring for a parent, mean 5.12±2.88 years) |
| Duration | 8-week intervention with 4-week follow-up |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Neurodegenerative diseases Caregiving Clinical trial Dementia Feasibility Online |
| Key findings | Tele-MBCT was feasible, with 84% of intervention participants attending at least seven of eight sessions and high satisfaction. Compared with usual care, the intervention group showed pre-post improvements in self-compassion and coping strategies. The authors suggest tele-MBCT may improve psychological outcomes and adaptive coping in dementia family caregivers and that a larger controlled trial is warranted. |
Abstract
Caring for a family member with dementia is stressful and challenging. Family caregivers, as a vulnerable marginalized population and invisible backbone of the health care system, need accessible and effective interventions that are tailored to their particular needs. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a live online mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (tele-MBCT) intervention for family caregivers of individuals with dementia. Family caregivers were assigned to a tele-MBCT intervention or a usual care control group. Tele-MBCT participants attended eight weekly live online training and practiced mindfulness practices at home. All participants completed surveys at baseline, post-intervention, and 4-week follow-up. 26 participants (age 60±13 years) were enrolled and randomized (14 in the intervention and 12 in the control group), and 92.3% completed the study. 88% of the participants were female, and 70% were caring for a parent for a mean of 5.12±2.88 years. 84% of the participants in the intervention group attended at least seven sessions and the average of daily practice was 23.58±45.71 minutes. All participants were satisfied with the intervention, and 88.8% were satisfied with the online delivery method. Participants in the intervention group showed Pre-Post improvement in self-compassion (t (11) = -2.49, p=0.03) and coping strategies (t (11) = 3.62, p=0.004) compared to the control group. Tele-MBCT is a feasible intervention and may improve psychological outcomes and adaptive coping in family caregivers of individuals with dementia. A larger controlled trial is warranted.
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 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 2
- Effects of Mindfulness Based Interventions in Adults and Older Adults Caregivers of Patients with Early Stage Alzheimer's Disease: A Randomized Pilot Study. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease 2024
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Stress Reduction in Family Carers of People Living with Dementia: A Systematic Review International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2022
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