Problem‐solving therapy reduces subjective burden levels in caregivers of family members with mild cognitive impairment or early‐stage dementia: Secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial

Objectives Interventions addressing burden have limited impact among long‐term family caregivers. We examined whether problem‐solving therapy (PST) would reduce burden levels of caregivers of individuals diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or early‐stage dementia (AD). Methods Caregivers...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of geriatric psychiatry 2019-07, Vol.34 (7), p.957-965
Main Authors: Garand, Linda, Morse, Jennifer Q., ChiaRebecca, Lichun, Barnes, Jennifer, Dadebo, Victoria, Lopez, Oscar L., Dew, Mary Amanda
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
caregiver burden
Caregivers
Caregivers - psychology
Clinical trials
Cognitive ability
Cognitive Dysfunction - nursing
Dementia
Dementia disorders
Family
family caregiving
Female
Geriatric psychiatry
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
mild cognitive impairment
Problem Solving
problem‐solving therapy
Psychotherapy - methods
Stress, Psychological - prevention & control
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Summary:Objectives Interventions addressing burden have limited impact among long‐term family caregivers. We examined whether problem‐solving therapy (PST) would reduce burden levels of caregivers of individuals diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or early‐stage dementia (AD). Methods Caregivers (N = 73) randomly received PST or nutritional training (NT). Burden measures were assessed over 1‐year post‐intervention. Results Relative to NT, caregivers receiving PST endorsed improved perceived burden levels over time, regardless of the type of caregiver. Distress over the care recipient's dementia‐related behaviors remained low over time among MCI caregivers receiving PST, while these burden levels among MCI caregivers receiving NT rose over time. AD caregivers receiving PST endorsed reductions in these burden levels over time, while AD caregivers in the NT group endorsed higher burden levels over time. Conclusion PST, taught early in the caregiving trajectory, improves subjective burden levels among caregivers of family members with relatively mild cognitive deficits.
ISSN:0885-6230
1099-1166
1099-1166
DOI:10.1002/gps.5095