title: Cognitive behavioral group intervention for Alzheimer caregivers.
abstract: Long-term caregiving of patients with Alzheimer disease (AD) frequently induces a relevant distress enhanced by inadequate coping strategies. This study aimed to explore the impact of cognitive and behavioral therapy (CBT) group intervention on AD patients' caregivers. In particular, reduction in caregivers' global care needs and in anxiety and depression has been investigated. About 100 caregivers were divided into the following groups: CBT group intervention, self-help manual, and control have been enrolled in the study. CBT group intervention seems to be more effective than the other 2 conditions in reducing caregivers' anxiety. Furthermore, only caregivers of the CBT group showed significant needs related to reduction in care. The proposed treatment could be the core of a more structured and systematic intervention for AD patients' caregivers in Italy.
authors.affiliation: *Cognitive Neuropsychology Center, Niguarda Ca' Granda Hospital, Milan †Psychology Unit, Salvatore Maugeri Foundation, IRCCS Tradate, Varese §National Centre for Epidemiology, Surveillance and Health Promotion, National Institute of Health, Rome ‡Department of Brain and Behavioural Sciences, University of Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Serena
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Passoni
authors.forename: Loretta
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Moroni
authors.forename: Alessio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Toraldo
authors.forename: Manuela T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Mazzà
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bertolotti
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Vanacore
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bottini
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods