Sapra Mamta, Hagemann Lauren, Luci Katherine, Savla Jyoti
Center for Aging and Neurocognitive Services Salem Veteran Affairs Medical Center Salem Virginia USA.
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine Roanoke Virginia USA.
Alzheimers Dement (N Y). 2025 Mar 24;11(1):e70064. doi: 10.1002/trc2.70064. eCollection 2025 Jan-Mar.
Effective interventions are needed to reduce caregiver burden and stress, particularly among family caregivers of veterans with dementia. Unique risk factors such as traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) further complicate caregiving. This study compares a four-session mindfulness-based multicomponent intervention (PAACC) with a cognitive behavioral intervention (REACH), both designed to alleviate caregiver burden, and provides a baseline evaluation of caregivers in the intervention. A two-arm, blinded, randomized controlled trial assigned 133 dementia caregivers to PAACC ( = 67) or REACH ( = 66). Baseline assessments included caregiver stress, burden, mindfulness receptivity, rumination, compassion, depressive symptoms, anxiety, and care recipient behavior. Participants averaged 67.17 years, 85% were women, and 70% were spousal caregivers. Caregivers in PAACC reported higher depressive symptoms and anxiety and lower mindfulness receptivity. This study introduces the first mindfulness-based intervention for veteran caregivers, designed to enhance cognitive flexibility, cultivate compassion, and provide practical skills to improve quality of life.
The study utilized a two-arm, blinded, prospective randomized controlled trial to compare the PAACC and REACH interventions. A total of 133 dementia caregivers experiencing moderate to severe caregiver burden were assigned to receive either the PAACC intervention ( = 67) or the REACH intervention ( = 66). Baseline evaluations included caregiver stress, burden, mindfulness receptivity, rumination, compassion, depressive symptoms, anxiety, and the memory and behavior problems of the veteran living with dementia, using widely accepted measures from caregiving literature.
Baseline assessments were conducted on 133 family caregivers of veterans living with dementia. The average caregiver age was 67.17 years (SD = 9.8), 85% were women, and 70% were spousal caregivers. No significant demographic differences were found between the two intervention groups. However, baseline comparisons showed that caregivers in the PAACC intervention reported higher depressive symptoms and anxiety, and lower mindfulness receptivity. A detailed protocol for the mindfulness-based multicomponent caregiver intervention PAACC is described.
There is a growing need for multicomponent, skill-building interventions tailored for dementia caregivers who are at high risk of stress. This study introduces the first mindfulness-based intervention specifically for caregivers of veterans, designed to enhance cognitive flexibility, cultivate compassion, and equip caregivers with practical skills to improve their quality of life.
PAACC is a mindfulness-based multicomponent intervention for dementia caregivers of veterans.No demographic differences suggest psychological differences are not due to demographics.Baseline mental health and mindfulness readiness may impact intervention effectiveness.
需要有效的干预措施来减轻照料者的负担和压力，尤其是老年痴呆症退伍军人的家庭照料者。诸如创伤性脑损伤（TBI）和创伤后应激障碍（PTSD）等独特的风险因素使照料工作更加复杂。本研究比较了一个为期四节的基于正念的多成分干预（PAACC）和一个认知行为干预（REACH），二者均旨在减轻照料者负担，并对干预中的照料者进行了基线评估。一项双臂、盲法、随机对照试验将133名痴呆症照料者分配到PAACC组（n = 67）或REACH组（n = 66）。基线评估包括照料者的压力、负担、正念接受度、沉思、同情心、抑郁症状、焦虑以及受照料者的行为。参与者平均年龄为67.17岁，85%为女性，70%为配偶照料者。PAACC组的照料者报告有更高的抑郁症状和焦虑，以及更低的正念接受度。本研究介绍了首个针对退伍军人照料者的基于正念的干预措施，旨在提高认知灵活性、培养同情心，并提供实用技能以改善生活质量。
本研究采用双臂、盲法、前瞻性随机对照试验来比较PAACC和REACH干预措施。共有133名经历中度至重度照料者负担的痴呆症照料者被分配接受PAACC干预（n = 67）或REACH干预（n = 66）。基线评估包括照料者的压力、负担、正念接受度、沉思、同情心、抑郁症状、焦虑，以及使用照料文献中广泛接受的测量方法对患有痴呆症的退伍军人的记忆和行为问题进行评估。
对133名患有痴呆症的退伍军人的家庭照料者进行了基线评估。照料者的平均年龄为67.17岁（标准差 = 9.8），85%为女性，70%为配偶照料者。两个干预组之间未发现显著的人口统计学差异。然而，基线比较显示，PAACC干预组的照料者报告有更高的抑郁症状和焦虑，以及更低的正念接受度。描述了基于正念的多成分照料者干预措施PAACC的详细方案。
对于压力风险较高的痴呆症照料者，越来越需要多成分、培养技能的干预措施。本研究介绍了首个专门针对退伍军人照料者的基于正念的干预措施，旨在提高认知灵活性、培养同情心，并为照料者提供实用技能以改善他们的生活质量。
PAACC是一项针对退伍军人痴呆症照料者的基于正念的多成分干预措施。没有人口统计学差异表明心理差异不是由人口统计学因素导致的。基线心理健康和正念准备情况可能会影响干预效果。
