Effects on stress reduction of a modified mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for family caregivers of those with dementia: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.
Patrick Pui Kin Kor, Justina Yat Wa Liu, Wai Tong Chien
Trials May 29, 2019 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-019-3432-2 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial protocol Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 100 |
| Population | Community-dwelling family caregivers of people with dementia |
| Interventions | Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) social interaction and routine education (SIRE) on dementia care |
| Duration | 10-week intervention; outcomes measured immediately post-intervention and at 6-month follow-up |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Humans Dementia Prospective studies Single-blind method Stress, psychological Caregivers Data analysis Cognitive behavioral therapy Community Family Quality of life Nursing Older people |
| Registration | NCT03354819 |
| Key findings | The protocol proposes testing whether a modified 10-week, seven-session group MBCT program reduces stress in family caregivers of people with dementia compared with a social interaction and routine education control, with stress as the primary outcome and depression, anxiety, burden, quality of life, and care recipient symptoms as secondary outcomes measured post-intervention and at six months. |
Abstract
Background: Caring for people with dementia (PWD) is stressful and poses many life challenges for the family caregivers. Interventions targeting the stress and psychological well-being of the caregivers have been proposed but the sustainable effects and efficacies of these interventions vary considerably. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) has been shown to be effective at reducing stress in several populations. However, limited research on the effects of MBCT in family caregivers of PWD has been conducted. This study protocol aims to examine the effects on stress reduction of a modified MBCT for family caregivers of PWD.
Methods: A prospective, single-blind, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial will be adopted. A convenience sample of 100 community-dwelling family caregivers of PWD will be randomized to either the modified MBCT or the control groups. The modified MBCT group will receive a 10-week, seven-session, group-based modified MBCT whereas the control group will receive a social interaction and routine education (SIRE) on dementia care program at a frequency and timing similar to those in the intervention group. The primary outcomes (stress) and secondary outcomes (depression, anxiety, burden, health-related quality of life, and the behavioral and psychological symptoms of the care recipient) will be measured immediately post-intervention (T1) and at 6-month follow-up (T2), which will be compared with the baseline (T0).
Discussion: Reducing the stress of caregiving can promote the well-being of the family caregivers and maintain their sustainability in providing daily care for their family members with dementia. MBCT is found to be effective for stress reduction in other populations, and the results of this study are able to provide us with evidence for using MBCT as a standard supportive intervention for the family caregivers of PWD.
Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03354819 . Registered on 28 November 2017.
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 7
- 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
- Effect of Brief Mindfulness Meditation Interventions on Heart Rate Variability in Adults: A Systematic Review. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback July 26, 2025
- [Mindfulness meditation and art therapy for Alzheimer's patients and their caregivers]. Soins. Gerontologie 2023
- The Effectiveness of a Hybrid Mindfulness-Based Intervention in Reducing Stress Among Informal Caregivers of People with Dementia: A Randomized Controlled Trial. The Gerontologist November 23, 2025
- Effects of a Social Media-Based Mind-Body Intervention Embedded With Acupressure and Mindfulness for Stress Reduction Among Family Caregivers of Frail Older Adults: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Formative Research February 20, 2023
and 2 more in the library
Cites 9
- Construct Validity of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire in Meditating and Nonmeditating Samples Assessment February 29, 2008
- A Randomized, Wait-List Controlled Clinical Trial: The Effect of a Mindfulness Meditation-Based Stress Reduction Program on Mood and Symptoms of Stress in Cancer Outpatients Psychosomatic Medicine September 1, 2000
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy as a treatment for chronic depression: A preliminary study Behaviour Research and Therapy February 13, 2009
- Beyond the individual: Group effects in mindfulness-based stress reduction Psychotherapy Research September 12, 2008
- Benefits of mindfulness training for patients with progressive cognitive decline and their caregivers. American journal of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias August 25, 2014
and 4 more in the library