Mindfulness for Alzheimer Caregivers

Mindfulness Based Health Care (MBHC) Program for Caregivers in the Neuropsychiatric Disorders in Alzheimer Patients and Anxiety and Depression in Caregivers

Mindfulness Based Health Care (MBHC) includes meditation techniques to help caregivers of Alzheimer patients to be made more aware of their experience in the present moment. Half of the caregivers will learn the practice of mindfulness meditation once a week through 8 classes, and the other half will not receive any therapy. The primary purpose of this study is to explore the effects of this mindfulness program for caregivers on the neuropsychiatric symptoms in Alzheimer patients, as well as on anxiety and depression symptoms in their caregivers. Secondarily, to examine the effect of this program on cognitive function, daily activity living and quality of life in Alzheimer patients, as well as on the burden of caregiving, quality of life, psychological well-being, occupational balance, executive function and self-compassion in their caregivers.

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive brain disorder that involves the loss of the ability to live independently, functional capacity and safety. Thus, patients often suffer neuropsychiatric disorders and need help from another person to live every day. Due to the burden of caregiving, the main caregivers can have anxiety and depression symptoms. With this scenario, we will conduct this randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effect of mindfulness program for caregiver's vs control group on: 1) neuropsychiatric disorders, cognitive function, daily activity living and quality of life in Alzheimer patients; 2) anxiety and depression symptoms, burden of caregiving, quality of life, psychological well-being, occupational balance, executive function and self-compassion in their caregivers.

Inclusion Criteria of Caregivers:

• be a caregiver of Alzheimer disease patient
• age over 18 years
• Score Mini Mental State Examination ≥26 points

Inclusion Criteria of Patients:

• Score of Scale Global Deterioration from 3 to 7 points (inclusive)
• Alzheimer disease diagnostic
• Non-institutionalized

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patient or caregivers with central nervous system disease with a neurological alteration (acquired brain damage, epilepsy, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis and other movement disorders).
• Patient or caregivers with current or past history of alcohol or drug abuse
• Patient or caregivers with visual or hearing impairment
• Patient or caregivers with serious psychiatric illness (depression, psychosis, schizophrenia)