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Volume 8 Journal of Alzheimers Disease & Parkinsonism
ISSN: 2161-0460 Dementia 2018
October 29-31, 2018
October 29-31, 2018 | Valencia, Spain
12th International Conference on
Alzheimer’s Disease & Dementia
Mindfulness based interventions for caregivers of patients with dementia: A review
Chao Tian Tang
Institute of Mental Health, Singapore
Introduction: Caregivers of patients with dementia often face challenges and difficulties associated with behavioral and
psychological symptoms of dementia. Family members often provide the majority of care for those with Alzheimer's disease
and other age-related problems. Studies have shown that about one-third of caregivers of patients with dementia experience
a major depressive episode and 5– 10% have symptoms consistent with an anxiety disorder. There is emerging evidence that
mindfulness-based interventions may be useful for these caregivers and may mitigate some of the negative effects related to
care giving.
Aims: This review aims to look at mindfulness-based interventions which may be beneficial for caregivers of patients with
dementia.
Methods: A literature search was performed to look for existing literature on mindfulness-based interventions for caregivers
of patients with dementia.
Results: A review of the literature had mixed findings. Mindfulness based stress reduction may be beneficial in reducing
depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms in caregivers of patients with dementia, although the effects were not apparent in
some studies after some time had lapsed after the intervention. Caregiver burden and perceived stress was shown to improve
in some studies but had no effect on other studies.
Conclusion: While there is emerging evidence that mindfulness-based interventions may be effective for caregivers of patients
with dementia, it is difficult to determine the specific elements of mindfulness-based interventions that are efficacious in
mitigating the negative effects related to caregiving, has the heterogeneous nature of studies performed. Cultural factors may
also play a role in the efficacy of such interventions. Future research should emphasize on larger scale studies with more robust
methodology.
Recent Publications:
1. Hurley R V C, Patterson T G and Cooley S J (2014) Meditation-based interventions for family caregivers of people
with dementia: a review of the empirical literature. Aging and Mental Health 18(3):281–288.
2. Whitebird R R, Kreitzer M, Crain A L, Lewis B A, Hanson L R, et al. (2013) Mindfulness-based stress reduction for
family caregivers: a randomized controlled trial. Gerontologist 53(4):676–86.
3. Lavretsky H, Epel E S, Siddarth P, Nazarian N, Khalsa D S, et al. (2013) A pilot study of yogic meditation for
family dementia caregivers with depressive symptoms: effects on mental health, cognition, and telomerase activity.
International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry 28(1):57–65.
4. Epstein-Lubow G P, Miller I W and Mc Bee L (2006) Mindfulness training for caregivers. Psychiatric Services
57(3):421–421.
5. Waelde L C, Thompson L and Gallagher-Thompson D (2004) A pilot study of a yoga and meditation intervention for
dementia caregiver stress. Journal of Clinical Psychology 60(6):677–687
Biography
Chao Tian Tang is a Psychiatry Resident in the National Healthcare Group, Singapore. He completed his graduation from the National University of Malaysia and is
currently working at the Institute of Mental Health, Singapore. He has experience working in high dependency Psychiatric Care Units, Adult Neuro Developmental
Services, Geriatric Psychiatry, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and General Psychiatry Units. He is actively involved in research and clinical work. He has
published articles in the field of Geriatric Psychiatry, Adult Neuro Developmental Services and Bibliometrics. He has attended and presented at conferences in fields
such as Neuro Developmental Disorders and General Psychiatry. He hopes to take an integrated approach to medicine for Holistic Psychiatric Care.
Chao Tian Tang, J Alzheimers Dis Parkinsonism 2018, Volume 8
DOI: 10.4172/2161-0460-C7-055