Trends in the content and methodology of Alzheimer caregiving research.

Abstract

Research into the experience of caregiving for patients with Alzheimer disease continues to grow steadily both in the number of studies and the scope of investigation. A review of the current trends in the content and methodology of research into caregiving is provided as a guide for new investigators entering this field. Whereas most studies continue to focus on the stress and burden associated with caregiving, increased study into topics such as treatment utilization, clinical decision-making, and caregivers and early detection will continue to broaden and enrich the scope of investigation. Positive trends in research methodology, including improved sampling procedures, more frequent inclusion of control groups, the use of improved measurement techniques, and the use of more sophisticated designs and statistics, will all continue. Despite the many contributions of past research into caregiving, future studies promise to make a critical contribution to a number of fields of study.