Effects of a psychoeducational intervention focusing on cognitive training in caregivers of older adults with Alzheimer's disease

Abstract

Introduction: Cognitive interventions can be important support strategies for caregivers of older adults with Alzheimer's disease (AD) since they improve their physical and mental health. Objective: To evaluate and analyze the effects of psychoeducational intervention with a focus on cognitive stimulation on cognition, anxiety, stress, and overload in caregivers of elderly people with Alzheimer's disease. Method: This is a randomized, controlled, blinded clinical trial, performed with 37 informal caregivers divided into Home Intervention Group (HIG) and Control Group (CG). Participants were assessed before and after the intervention using Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination-Revised, Perceived Stress Scale, Depression Inventory and Beck Anxiety, and Zarit Overload Scale. Results: There was improvement in the HIG, significant for symptoms of stress (p= 0.0027), cognition (p= 0.003; p= 0.008), attention/orientation (p= 0.004), memory (p= 0.017), and verbal fluency (p= 0.023). Regarding the CG, despite the improvement in the parameters, this was not significant. Conclusion: Intervention in caregivers at home is an important tool for improving cognition and stress in caregivers of older adults with AD, but it does not seem to be as effective for symptoms of overload, which highlights the need for specific strategies in this domain.