Meditation for Dementia Caregivers Major Depressive Disorder in Family Dementia Caregivers

Family dementia caregivers provide a needed service to relatives with dementia and to society, but are often at risk for consequences to their own health such as depression, reduced immune system function, and burnout. Mentalizing Imagery Therapy (MIT, previously known as Central Meditation and Imagery Therapy) is a novel group mindfulness and guided imagery intervention designed to help caregivers reduce depressive symptoms and cope with the stress of caregiving. We will conduct a pilot feasibility of MIT versus home relaxation practice with 24 dementia caregivers. Half of the caregivers will be randomly assigned to receive a relaxation recording, while the other half will receive MIT.

To measure the effects of MIT, we will obtain depression symptom ratings and questionnaires about psychological symptoms before and after MIT. We will also study the biological effects of MIT. We will do so by measuring brain activity, recording the pulse in order to determine variation in beat to beat intervals of the heart, and studying patterns of gene expression.


Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Caregivers of relatives with dementia who present to the UCLA Alzheimer and Dementia Care Program, or other UCLA geriatric or memory clinics for evaluation of dementia, cognitive impairment and/or co-existing behavioral disturbances.
2. Caregivers will be identified by the family member with dementia or the physician as the primary source of assistance and/or support
3. 45 years of age or older
4. Patient Health Questionnaire Score \> 9
5. In contact with the individual with dementia at least three times/week for no less than one year, and a relative of the care-recipient (i.e., spouse or adult child).
6. Adequate written and oral fluency in English to understand and complete study forms and converse with study personnel.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Current diagnosis of schizophrenia or any psychotic disorder including psychotic depression, mania, alcohol or drug dependence, mental retardation, any pervasive developmental disorder or cognitive disorder (according to DSM-IV) criteria.

  2. Medically unstable, delirious, or terminally ill (e.g. medical illness requiring hospitalization or intense outpatient management, such as heart disease; heart attack in the past 6 months; congestive heart failure; severe heart arrythmias; unstable hypertension; poorly controlled diabetes; or pending surgery).

  3. Past history of skull fracture; cranial surgery entering the calvarium; space occupying intracranial lesion; stroke/ aneurysm; Parkinson's or Huntington's disease; or Multiple Sclerosis.

  4. Participants regularly practicing (≥ 2 times per week) any of the techniques utilized in the study to reduce stress: meditation, guided imagery, yoga.

  5. Active suicidal plan, or suicide attempt within the past month. 6. Excessive use of alcohol, i.e., men whose alcohol consumption exceeds 14 standard drinks per week or 4 drinks per day, and women whose alcohol consumption exceeds 7 standard drinks per week or 3 drinks per day.

  7. Needing to adjust or change anti-depressant treatment, including medications, psychotherapy, repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS), Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), or Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS).

  8. Ideas of harm toward the care recipient, current violence, or an APS report on file.