A yoga and compassion meditation program reduces stress in familial caregivers of Alzheimer's disease patients

M A D Danucalov, E H Kozasa, K T Ribas, J C F Galduróz, M C Garcia, I T N Verreschi, K C Oliveira, L Romani de Oliveira, J R Leite, M A D Danucalov, E H Kozasa, K T Ribas, J C F Galduróz, M C Garcia, I T N Verreschi, K C Oliveira, L Romani de Oliveira, J R Leite

Abstract

Familial caregivers of patients with Alzheimer's disease exhibit reduced quality of life and increased stress levels. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of an 8-week yoga and compassion meditation program on the perceived stress, anxiety, depression, and salivary cortisol levels in familial caregivers. A total of 46 volunteers were randomly assigned to participate in a stress-reduction program for a 2-month period (yoga and compassion meditation program-YCMP group) (n = 25) or an untreated group for the same period of time (control group) (n = 21). The levels of stress, anxiety, depression, and morning salivary cortisol of the participants were measured before and after intervention. The groups were initially homogeneous; however, after intervention, the groups diverged significantly. The YCMP group exhibited a reduction of the stress (P < 0.05), anxiety (P < 0.000001), and depression (P < 0.00001) levels, as well as a reduction in the concentration of salivary cortisol (P < 0.05). Our study suggests that an 8-week yoga and compassion meditation program may offer an effective intervention for reducing perceived stress, anxiety, depression, and salivary cortisol in familial caregivers.

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