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Effects of leisure activities at home on perceived care burden and the endocrine system of caregivers of dementia patients: a randomized controlled study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 August 2015

Akemi Hirano ,
Hiroyuki Umegaki ,
Yusuke Suzuki ,
Toshio Hayashi  and
Masafumi Kuzuya
Akemi Hirano*
Affiliation:
Department of Adult Nursing, School of Nursing & Health, Aichi Prefectural University, Tohgoku, Kamishidami, Moriyama-Ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 463-8502, Japan
Hiroyuki Umegaki
Affiliation:
Department of Community Healthcare and Geriatrics, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Showa, Nagoya, Aichi, 466-8550, Japan
Yusuke Suzuki
Affiliation:
Department of Comprehensive Community Care Systems, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Showa, Nagoya, Aichi, 466-8550, Japan
Toshio Hayashi
Affiliation:
Department of Community Healthcare and Geriatrics, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Showa, Nagoya, Aichi, 466-8550, Japan
Masafumi Kuzuya
Affiliation:
Department of Community Healthcare and Geriatrics, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Showa, Nagoya, Aichi, 466-8550, Japan
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Akemi Hirano, R.N., Ph.D. Department of Adult Nursing, School of Nursing & Health, Aichi Prefectural University, Tohgoku, Kamishidami, Moriyama-Ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 463-8502, Japan. Phone: +(81-52)-736-1401; Fax: +(81-52)-736-1415. Email: hirano@med.nagoya-u.ac.jp.
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Abstract

Background:

Psychological stress associated with caregiving is thought to underlie the high incidence of hypertension, ischemic heart disease, and mortality, as well as reduced immune function, among caregivers of dementia patients. Here, we examined the effects of periodic leisure activities performed by caregivers of dementia patients with care recipients at home on perceived care burden and levels of stress hormones.

Methods:

Participants were 42 caregivers aged ≥ 65 years of patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's dementia. They were randomly assigned to intervention and non-intervention groups. The intervention group underwent a leisure activity program (30 min/3 times/week for 24 weeks) with the care recipient, and the control group underwent normal care activities.

Results:

The Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) score, a subjective indicator of care burden, significantly decreased after intervention in the intervention group (p < 0.05), whereas no difference was observed in the control group. No significant changes were observed in adrenaline, noradrenaline, dopamine, and cortisol levels in both groups.

Conclusions:

The lack of changes in stress hormone levels despite a decrease in subjective care burden in the intervention group might be explained by the effects of the chosen leisure activity on the neuroendocrine system. Our findings suggest that periodic leisure activities can reduce perceived care burden among caregivers of dementia patients. However, in order to evaluate accurately the effects of leisure activities of the present study, long-term follow-up of both caregivers and care recipients is necessary. The Nagoya University Department of Medicine Ethics Committee Clinical Trials Registry Number is 1290.

Keywords

dementiacare burdenregular leisure activityinterventioncatecholamine
Type
Research Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 28 , Issue 2 , February 2016 , pp. 261 - 268
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2015 

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