The Use of Modified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Program for Family Caregivers of People Living with Dementia: A Feasibility Study.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to investigate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of modified MBSR and MBCT programs for reducing stress, depressive symptoms, and subjective burden in family caregivers of people with dementia.
Results Summary
Both interventions were feasible with high attendance and low attrition. They showed significant within-group improvements in perceived stress, depressive symptoms, and caregiver burden, with MBCT having a larger effect on stress reduction compared to MBSR.
Population
Family caregivers of people with dementia (PWD).
Effective Dosage
Seven face-to-face intervention sessions.
Duration
More than 16 weeks.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
modified mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program | decrease | perceived stress | family caregivers of people with dementia (PWD) | p = .030, Cohen's d = 0.54 | positive within-group effects | #1 |
modified mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program | decrease | depressive symptoms | family caregivers of people with dementia (PWD) | p = .002, Cohen's d = 0.77 | positive within-group effects | #2 |
modified mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program | decrease | subjective caregiver burden | family caregivers of people with dementia (PWD) | p < .001, Cohen's d = 1.12 | positive within-group effects | #3 |
mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) program | decrease | perceived stress | family caregivers of people with dementia (PWD) | p = .030, Cohen's d = 0.54 | positive within-group effects | #4 |
mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) program | decrease | depressive symptoms | family caregivers of people with dementia (PWD) | p = .002, Cohen's d = 0.77 | positive within-group effects | #5 |
mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) program | decrease | subjective caregiver burden | family caregivers of people with dementia (PWD) | p < .001, Cohen's d = 1.12 | positive within-group effects | #6 |
modified mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) program | decrease | stress | family caregivers of people with dementia (PWD) | p = .019 | had a larger effect on stress reduction | #7 |
modified mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program | neutral | - | family caregivers of PWD | - | are acceptable | #8 |
modified mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) program | neutral | - | family caregivers of PWD | - | are acceptable | #9 |
modified mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program | decrease | stress | family caregivers of PWD | - | preliminary effects were improvements | #10 |
modified mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program | decrease | depressive symptoms | family caregivers of PWD | - | preliminary effects were improvements | #11 |
modified mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program | decrease | subjective burden | family caregivers of PWD | - | preliminary effects were improvements | #12 |
modified mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) program | decrease | stress | family caregivers of PWD | - | preliminary effects were improvements | #13 |
modified mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) program | decrease | depressive symptoms | family caregivers of PWD | - | preliminary effects were improvements | #14 |
modified mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) program | decrease | subjective burden | family caregivers of PWD | - | preliminary effects were improvements | #15 |
PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a modified mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) program 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 for more than 16 weeks. Various psychological outcomes were measured at baseline (T0), immediately after intervention (T1), and at the 3-month follow-up (T2). RESULTS: Both interventions were found to be feasible in view of the high attendance (more than 70.0%) and low attrition (3.8%) rates. The mixed analysis of variance (ANOVA) results showed positive within-group effects on perceived stress (p = .030, Cohen's d = 0.54), depressive symptoms (p = .002, Cohen's d = 0.77), and subjective caregiver burden (p < .001, Cohen's d = 1.12) in both interventions across the time points, whereas the modified MBCT had a larger effect on stress reduction, compared with the modified MBSR (p = .019). CONCLUSION: 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.