Mindfulness-based stress reduction for family caregivers: a randomized controlled trial

Caring for a family member with dementia is associated with chronic stress, which can have significant deleterious effects on caregivers. The purpose of the Balance Study was to compare a mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) intervention to a community caregiver education and support (CCES) int...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	The Gerontologist Vol. 53; no. 4; pp. 676 - 686
Main Authors:	Whitebird, Robin R, Kreitzer, MaryJo, Crain, A Lauren, Lewis, Beth A, Hanson, Leah R, Enstad, Chris J
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	United States Oxford University Press 01-08-2013
Subjects:	Adult Aged Aged, 80 and over Animals Caregiver Burden Caregivers Caregivers - education Caregivers - psychology Comparative analysis Dementia Dementia - psychology Depression - diagnosis Depression - psychology Female Humans Intervention Marriage and Family Education Mental Health Middle Aged Mind-Body Therapies Parents Quality of Life Senility Social Support Stress Stress, Psychological - psychology Stress, Psychological - therapy Treatment Outcome Whites United States > US Chronic stress Mind-body therapies Complemen tary therapies Dementia
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Summary:	Caring for a family member with dementia is associated with chronic stress, which can have significant deleterious effects on caregivers. The purpose of the Balance Study was to compare a mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) intervention to a community caregiver education and support (CCES) intervention for family caregivers of people with dementia. We randomly assigned 78 family caregivers to an MBSR or a CCES intervention, matched for time and attention. Study participants attended 8 weekly intervention sessions and participated in home-based practice. Surveys were completed at baseline, postintervention, and at 6 months. Participants were 32- to 82-year-old predominately non-Hispanic White women caring for a parent with dementia. MBSR was more effective at improving overall mental health, reducing stress, and decreasing depression than CCES. Both interventions improved caregiver mental health and were similarly effective at improving anxiety, social support, and burden. MBSR could reduce stress and improve mental health in caregivers of family members with dementia residing in the community.
Bibliography:	ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 ObjectType-Undefined-3 ObjectType-Article-2 ObjectType-Evidence Based Healthcare-3 ObjectType-Feature-1 Decision Editor: Rachel Pruchno, PhD
ISSN:	0016-9013 1758-5341
DOI:	10.1093/geront/gns126