Structured intervention in family caregivers of the demented elderly and changes in their immune function.
The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of a group structured intervention on the mental and physical discomfort and immune function of 20 family caregivers. A structured intervention for caregivers consists of five sessions, each of which lasts 90 min. This was a modified version of the program that had been originally developed for cancer patients. All the family caregivers were female and ranged in age from 47 to 66 years (mean: 54.7 +/- 4.4). The period of care at home ranged from 1 to 12 years (mean: 5.8 +/- 2.7). Concerning the original diseases of the care-receivers, 10 had vascular dementia and eight had Alzheimer's disease. Nine out of 20 caregivers had no care support, and seven utilized no public resources such as day-care centers. Only five caregivers felt that they were healthy. Two psychometries, that is, Profile of Mood States (POMS) and General Health Questionnaire-30 (GHQ-30) were administered and blood samples were drawn before and after intervention. Comparison of results showed that there was significant improvement (P < 0.05) in the scores of depression, anger-hostility, fatigue and confusion in the POMS, and physical symptoms, anxiety-mood disorder, suicidality-depression in the GHQ-30. Also, there was significant (P = 0.0325) augmentation of natural-killer cell activity. The present study suggests that this kind of intervention was effective for relieving emotional and physical discomfort, and also for improving immune function.
Hosaka
Takashi
T
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Kanagawa, Japan. hosaka@is.icc.u-tokai.ac.jp
Sugiyama
Yoko
Y
D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003601:Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic; D015140:Dementia, Vascular / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance / Q000276:immunology; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications*