Randomized Controlled Trial of Inner Resources Meditation for Family Dementia Caregivers.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to compare the effectiveness of mindfulness meditation and mantra training versus psychoeducation and telephone support in improving diurnal cortisol slope, life satisfaction, and reducing stress symptoms among older female dementia caregivers.
Results Summary
The mindfulness intervention (IR) showed statistically significant improvements in diurnal cortisol slope and life satisfaction compared to the psychoeducation group (PTS), but not in depression or self-efficacy. Adherence to meditation practice was linked to reduced depression and better stress coping. IR participants rated the program's benefits higher than PTS participants.
Population
Older female dementia family caregivers (n=31).
Effective Dosage
8 weeks of Inner Resources for Stress mindfulness meditation and mantra training (specific frequency not detailed).
Duration
8 weeks.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Inner Resources for Stress mindfulness meditation and mantra training | increase | diurnal cortisol slope | older female dementia family caregivers | - | statistically significant pre-post improvements | #1 |
Inner Resources for Stress mindfulness meditation and mantra training | increase | overall life satisfaction | older female dementia family caregivers | - | statistically significant pre-post improvements | #2 |
Inner Resources for Stress mindfulness meditation and mantra training | no change | depression | older female dementia family caregivers | - | not statistically significant pre-post improvements | #3 |
Inner Resources for Stress mindfulness meditation and mantra training | no change | self-efficacy | older female dementia family caregivers | - | not statistically significant pre-post improvements | #4 |
between-session meditation practice | decrease | depression | older female dementia family caregivers | - | significantly associated with decreases | #5 |
between-session meditation practice | increase | ability to cope with stress | older female dementia family caregivers | - | significantly associated with self-reported improvements | #6 |
Inner Resources for Stress mindfulness meditation and mantra training | increase | program benefits | older female dementia family caregivers | - | rated the overall benefits of the program more highly | #7 |
OBJECTIVE: This randomized controlled trial examined the comparative effectiveness of 2 interventions for improving diurnal cortisol slope and life satisfaction and reducing stress symptoms among older female dementia family caregivers. METHOD: Thirty-one family dementia caregivers were randomized to 8 weeks of Inner Resources for Stress mindfulness meditation and mantra training (IR) or psychoeducation and telephone support (PTS). RESULTS: Intention-to-treat analyses revealed statistically significant pre-post improvements in diurnal cortisol slope and overall life satisfaction, but not depression or self-efficacy, in the IR relative to the PTS group. Adherence to between-session meditation practice was significantly associated with decreases in depression and self-reported improvements in ability to cope with stress. In addition, IR participants rated the overall benefits of the program more highly than the PTS group. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that mindfulness meditation and mantra has promise as a feasible and effective caregiver intervention for quality of life and physiological responding to stress.