None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
The impact of dementia on family caregivers is substantial. Building on growing clinical interest in the capacity for Transcendental Meditation [Registered Trademark] (TM; a deep relaxation technique) to reduce stress and anxiety in healthy workers, this pilot RCT will examine whether similar improvements could be experienced by dementia caregivers. Specifically, the study will explore whether a TM program can improve psychological stress, quality of life, affect and cognitive performance of dementia caregivers when compared to wait-list control.
Interventions
Transcendental Meditation [Registered Trademark] (TM): The twelve-week TM training program comprises a one-hour introductory session, four one-and-a-half-hour training sessions (over the first week), followed by three weekly one-hour classes and four fortnightly one-hour classes, held in groups, under the guidance of experienced TM instructors. The initial sessions will comprise content on the health effects of stress, the theory of TM, training of the TM technique, and assessment and refining o
Transcendental Meditation [Registered Trademark] (TM): The twelve-week TM training program comprises a one-hour introductory session, four one-and-a-half-hour training sessions (over the first week), followed by three weekly one-hour classes and four fortnightly one-hour classes, held in groups, under the guidance of experienced TM instructors. The initial sessions will comprise content on the health effects of stress, the theory of TM, training of the TM technique, and assessment and refining of the technique. The weekly and fortnightly sessions will focus on assessing, refining and mastering the TM technique.
Sponsors
University of South Australia
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
0 to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
(i) Is a non-professional, community-dwelling carer of a person with diagnosed dementia, (ii) Has not received previous instruction on the TM technique, (iii) Is able to provide written consent, (iv) Is able to speak, read and understand English, (v) Is available and willing to complete all TM / healthy lifestyle program sessions and baseline, post-intervention and follow-up assessments, and (vi) Is able to arrange respite for the dementia sufferer when away for the TM / healthy lifestyle program sessions and assessments.
Exclusion criteria
(i) Has a history of any condition causing moderate to severe cognitive impairment, (ii) Has begun or ceased psychotropic medication within the past six weeks, (iii) Has participated in a clinical trial within the past 30 days, where psychological outcomes and quality of life were outcomes of interest, (iv) Practices some form of mind-body therapy on a regular basis, (v) Consults a psychologist or psychiatrist at least once a week, and (vi) Has taken a recreational drug in the past 15 days.
Outcome results
None listed