[Improvement of agitation and anxiety in dementia patients after psychoeducative training of their caregivers].
It has been convincingly demonstrated that in dementia psycho-educative training of caregivers positively impacts on motivation for care and satisfaction of the caregivers. It has, however, been neglected to examine the effect of psycho-educative training on the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia sufferers. In a three-month, expert-based and conceptualized group intervention with caregiving relatives of demented patients we investigated, whether functional impairment and behavioural and psychological symptoms may improve, which of a set of independent variables may predict improvement, and how the group intervention will be appreciated by the caregivers. The group intervention yielded a significant improvement of memory-related functions in daily living and a significant decrease of agitation and anxiety of the demented patients. The presence of an additional somatic disease predicted worse outcome of the intervention with respect to the impairment of memory-related functions in daily living and of agitation. Anonymous inquiry of the caregivers with respect to their judgement of the intervention revealed high acceptance and appreciation. This study demonstrated that a psycho-educative group intervention with caregiving relatives of dementia sufferers is helpful for both the caregivers and the demented patient. This evidence of a positive mediate effect of the group intervention on the functional and behavioural impairment of the demented patients underscores the importance of nonpharmacological strategies in the treatment plan of dementia.
Haupt
M
M
Psychiatrische Klinik, Heinrich-Heine-Universität/Rheinische Kliniken Düsseldorf. KN42040@mail.lvr.de
Karger
A
A
Baumgärtner
D
D
Kuminoti
D
D
Jänner
M
M
Schneider
F
F
D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000193:education*; D003704:Dementia / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*
Verbesserung von Unruhezuständen und Angst bei Demenzkranken nach psychoedukativer Gruppenarbeit mit pflegenden Angehörigen.