Objectives <p>Studies consistently demonstrate that family caregivers often experience poor health, depression, anxiety, and a diminished quality of life. Mindfulness-based interventions have shown positive outcomes, and this study aimed to investigate the effects and mechanisms of a low-intensity mindfulness-based program for caregivers of frail older adults.</p> Method <p>A multi-site, three-arm randomized controlled trial was conducted to assess the impact of a mindfulness-based intervention for Chinese family caregivers. Intervention effects were compared with those of an evidence-based psychoeducation program and treatment-as-usual. One hundred and fifty-one caregivers initially expressed interest in participating, with 93 eligible caregivers ultimately being randomly assigned to the brief mindfulness-based program, psychoeducation, or treatment-as-usual.</p> Results <p>Caregivers in the mindfulness group showed greater improvements in depression, experiential avoidance, family functioning, self-efficacy, and problem-solving in coping style at post-intervention, compared with those receiving usual care. When compared to the psychoeducation group, caregivers in the mindfulness group showed greater improvements in experiential avoidance, and problem-solving coping. The improvement in self-efficacy was sustained at the 6-month follow-up.</p> Conclusions <p>The findings suggest that a brief mindfulness-based intervention can significantly enhance caregiver mental health and overall well-being. This study provides further evidence that a low-intensity mindfulness intervention could be better suited to address the challenges faced by caregivers with limited time due to their demanding schedule.</p> Preregistration <p>This study was preregistered with the United States Clinical Trials Registration (ClinicalTrial.gov) (NCT04861610).</p>

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Effects and Mechanisms of a Brief Mindfulness-Based Intervention for Caregivers of Frail Older Adults: A Three-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial

  • Zoe Jiwen Zhang,
  • Herman Hay Ming Lo,
  • Alma Au,
  • Samuel Yeung Shan Wong,
  • Janet Yuen Ha Wong,
  • Jerf Wai Keung Yeung,
  • Elsa Ngar Sze Lau,
  • Rick Tze Chun Law,
  • W. V. Cho

摘要

Objectives

Studies consistently demonstrate that family caregivers often experience poor health, depression, anxiety, and a diminished quality of life. Mindfulness-based interventions have shown positive outcomes, and this study aimed to investigate the effects and mechanisms of a low-intensity mindfulness-based program for caregivers of frail older adults.

Method

A multi-site, three-arm randomized controlled trial was conducted to assess the impact of a mindfulness-based intervention for Chinese family caregivers. Intervention effects were compared with those of an evidence-based psychoeducation program and treatment-as-usual. One hundred and fifty-one caregivers initially expressed interest in participating, with 93 eligible caregivers ultimately being randomly assigned to the brief mindfulness-based program, psychoeducation, or treatment-as-usual.

Results

Caregivers in the mindfulness group showed greater improvements in depression, experiential avoidance, family functioning, self-efficacy, and problem-solving in coping style at post-intervention, compared with those receiving usual care. When compared to the psychoeducation group, caregivers in the mindfulness group showed greater improvements in experiential avoidance, and problem-solving coping. The improvement in self-efficacy was sustained at the 6-month follow-up.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that a brief mindfulness-based intervention can significantly enhance caregiver mental health and overall well-being. This study provides further evidence that a low-intensity mindfulness intervention could be better suited to address the challenges faced by caregivers with limited time due to their demanding schedule.

Preregistration

This study was preregistered with the United States Clinical Trials Registration (ClinicalTrial.gov) (NCT04861610).