Effect of Deep Breathing Relaxation Intervention on Caregiver Strain and Blood Pressure in Family Caregivers of Persons with Dementia

Abstract

Background: With life expectancy increasing and the aging of the baby boom population in the United States, the risk of dementia increases. There are 5.4 million Americans with dementia and this number is expected to triple by 2050 (Alzheimer's Association, 2016). Family caregivers of persons with dementia are vital, not only in the care they provide to person with dementia (PWD) in the community, but also to the huge savings they provide to our national heath economy of approximately $221.3 billion dollars. Family caregivers focus on providing care for PWD and tend to neglect their own health. The stress that family caregivers face on an ongoing basis from the fluctuations and changes in condition and problem behaviors of PWD has an effect on the physical and mental health of caregivers. Purpose: This pilot study examines the effects of a deep breathing relaxation intervention on blood pressure and caregiver strain in family caregivers of PWD. Allostatic load was used as the theoretical framework to guide this study suggesting that the body's complex physiological system fails to adapt to continued stress and increased sympathetic nervous system activity can result in illness and deterioration in health of the caregiver. Methodology: A quasi-experimental one group pre and post test design was used. Forty family caregivers living with and caring for PWD participated in the study. The blood pressure and Modified Caregiver Strain Index were collected at baseline and 30 days after the intervention. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, paired t-test and ANCOVA. Results: The findings showed that deep breathing relaxation intervention significantly decreased caregiver strain scores (p<0.005) and decreased the systolic BP (p=0.014) but not the diastolic pressure (p=0.167), There was a significant interaction between pre and post caregiver strain scores and deteriorating illness of PWD. Specifically, the deteriorating illness of PWD accounted for 37.3% of the variance in increased caregiver strain post intervention.%%%%Dr.N.P., Nursing Practice – Drexel University, 2016