Reducing Caregiver Stress and Sleep Disturbances in Patients With Progressive Dementia

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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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
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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: the impact of stress-related sleep disruptions on health in older adults, and the effects of sleep interventions on health and functioning.

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

Conditions
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Sleep Disorders

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Stress Management and Healthy Sleep Practices


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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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

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 60 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Intervention/Treatment |
| --- |
|Behavioral: Stress Management and Healthy Sleep Practices|Eight weekly sessions of 1 hour each reviewing stress management techniques and tips for improving sleep.|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

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

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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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