Abstract

Objectives

This study aimed to determine the feasibility and acceptability of a multi-modal performing arts intervention (MPAI) for caregivers of people with mild to moderately severe dementia. The secondary objective was to examine how MPAI might change caregiver burden, caregiver resiliency, and perceived quality of life (QoL) for care recipients.

Method

The study features a mixed-methods design. Caregivers (N = 32) completed the Zarit Burden Interview (caregiver burden) Brief Resilience Scale (resiliency) and Quality of Life-Alzheimer’s disease measure (care recipient QoL) at five study timepoints. Semi-structured interviews (N = 15) documented the intervention’s acceptability and caregivers’ subjective experiences. Feasibility was indexed through withdrawal and attendance analysis. Braun and Clarke (2006 Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. doi:https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa[Taylor & Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]) thematic analysis guided the qualitative analysis.

Results

Caregiver burden significantly declined from baseline through final follow-up. Caregiver resiliency and care recipient QoL were not significantly changed but trended up during the intervention until it dropped at the end of the program. Qualitative data suggests the reversal in resiliency and QoL may be explained by caregivers’ increased anxiety as the program ended. Acceptability data indicated caregivers were unanimously highly satisfied with the intervention, desiring to continue participation. Feasibility findings provide recommendations for intervention improvements.

Conclusion

MPAI could reduce caregiver burden and increase resilience for informal caregivers of a person with dementia. Effects drop off quickly at the end of the program, indicating the need for ongoing interventions that provide social support, a respite from the pressures of care recipients’ dependency, and the relief that caregivers experience when they perceive benefits to their care recipient’s well-being.

中文翻译：

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表演艺术干预对轻度至中度痴呆症患者照顾者的影响

摘要

目标

本研究旨在确定多模式表演艺术干预 (MPAI) 对轻度至中度重度痴呆症患者的照顾者的可行性和可接受性。次要目标是检查 MPAI 如何改变照顾者的负担、照顾者的弹性和感知的生活质量 (QoL)。

方法

该研究采用混合方法设计。照顾者 ( N  = 32) 在五个研究时间点完成了 Zarit 负担访谈（照顾者负担）简要复原力量表（复原力）和生活质量-阿尔茨海默病测量（照顾者生活质量）。半结构化访谈 ( N  = 15) 记录了干预的可接受性和照顾者的主观体验。通过退出和出勤分析对可行性进行索引。布劳恩和克拉克（2006 年 Braun, V.和Clarke, V.（2006 年）。在心理学中使用主题分析。心理学定性研究，3 (2), 77 – 101。doi:https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa [Taylor & Francis Online]  , [Google Scholar] ) 主题分析指导定性分析。

结果

通过最终随访，看护者负担从基线显着下降。护理人员的弹性和护理接受者的生活质量没有显着变化，但在干预期间呈上升趋势，直到项目结束时下降。定性数据表明，弹性和生活质量的逆转可能是由于护理人员在项目结束时增加的焦虑来解释的。可接受性数据表明，护理人员对干预措施一致高度满意，并希望继续参与。可行性研究结果为干预改进提供了建议。

结论

MPAI 可以减轻照顾者的负担，并提高痴呆症患者非正式照顾者的适应力。项目结束时效果迅速下降，这表明需要持续的干预措施来提供社会支持、缓解受照护者依赖压力的压力，以及看护者在感受到对受照护者福祉的好处时所体验到的宽慰.