Reducing Caregiver Stress and Sleep Disturbances in Patients With Progressive Dementia

AgeWise Project 2: Reducing Stress and Sleep Disturbances in Caregivers of Patients With Progressive Dementia

Status

Completed

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Observational

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT00178568

Enrollment

Registered

2005-09-15

Start date

2003-02-28

Completion date

2009-11-30

Last updated

2015-05-28

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Sleep Disorders

Keywords

Caregiving, Spousal, Sleep disturbances, Progressive dementia, Stress, Health outcomes, Intervention, Affective self-management, Caregivers M01.526.485.200, Spouses F01.829.263.500.660, Alzheimer's disease C10.574.945.249, Parkinson's disease C10.574.812, Sleep disorder C10.886.425.800.800

Brief summary

People under stress, such as those caring for an ill family member, often have trouble with their sleep. The aim of this study is to see if reducing stress and changing a caregiver's sleep and wake patterns will improve his/her sleep. The investigators also will see whether improvements in sleep result in improved mood, health, and general functioning.

Detailed description

The general aim of this study is to characterize stress-related sleep disturbances in spousal caregivers of patients with progressive dementia and to test the efficacy of an intervention designed to reduce stress and sleep disturbances. We will compare the efficacy of a Stress Management Plus Health Sleep Practices (SM+HSP) intervention to an attention-only control condition in spousal caregivers of patients with progressive dementia. Specific Aims for this study are: Aim 1: To characterize stress-related sleep disruptions in spousal caregivers of patients with progressive dementia. Aim 2: To test the short-term efficacy of a Stress Management Plus Healthy Sleep Practices (SM+HSP) intervention versus an attention-only control for improving sleep and health outcomes in caregivers of patients with progressive dementia. Aim 3: To test the durability of the SM+HSP intervention among spousal caregivers of patients with progressive dementia. Aim 4: To characterize: 1. the impact of stress-related sleep disruptions on health in older adults, and 2. the effects of sleep interventions on health and functioning.

Interventions

BEHAVIORALStress Management and Healthy Sleep Practices

Eight weekly sessions of 1 hour each reviewing stress management techniques and tips for improving sleep.

Study design

Observational model

CASE_CONTROL

Time perspective

CROSS_SECTIONAL

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

60 Years to No maximum

Healthy volunteers

Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Ages 60 or older * Spousal caregivers of patients with progressive dementia * Patients have a diagnosis of possible or probable Alzheimer's disease or other progressive dementia * Affirm that it is a physical and emotional strain to care for spouse * Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score of 5 or above or a polysomnographically determined sleep efficiency of 90% or worse.

Exclusion criteria

* Psychotic disorder or substance abuse disorder * Apnea-hypopnea index of greater than 30 * Score of less than 24 on Mini-Mental State Exam

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Polysomnography pre and post intervention	18 months	collection of physiological & psychological variables pre and post BBTI sleep disturbances and stress in caregivers

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026