Depression in caregivers of patients having dementia before and after a psychoeducational course, Cairo

Samah H Rabei

doi:10.4103/1110-1105.209683

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Year : 2017 | Volume : 38 | Issue : 2 | Page : 65-69

Depression in caregivers of patients having dementia before and after a psychoeducational course, Cairo

Samah H Rabei
Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Helwan University, Helwan, Egypt

Date of Submission	08-Mar-2016
Date of Acceptance	28-Nov-2016
Date of Web Publication	5-Jul-2017

Correspondence Address:
Samah H Rabei
5 Omroo Alkays St, 7th District, Nasr City, Cairo, 11727
Egypt

Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None

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DOI: 10.4103/1110-1105.209683

Abstract

Background
The efficacy and effectiveness of family psychoeducation as an evidence-based practice have been established. Systematized use of family psychoeducation in routine clinical practice is alarmingly limited worldwide and in Egypt.
Aim
This study aimed to assess the degree of depression in caregivers of patients having dementia before and after an intensive psychoeducational course with skill-training tailored and modified to suit their emotional and behavioral needs.
Participants and methods
Fifty caregivers of dementia patients in the Geriatrics Department Outpatient Clinic, Ain Shams University, Cairo, were assessed after written informed consent had been obtained from them. A score equal to or below 24/30 on the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and International Classification of Disease, version 10, criteria were used to diagnose dementia patients. The activity of daily living (ADL) scale was also used and scored. The caregivers were assessed before and after a psychoeducational course using Beck’s depression inventory II. Their occupational level was described as per the family socioeconomic scale. Statistics were analyzed using SPSS (version 16).
Results
Caregivers experienced a reduction in Beck’s depression inventory II score. The average decrease was 3.6 points after psychoeducation.
There were correlations and associations between decrease in depression scores after psychoeducation and age and occupation of caregivers, higher MMSE scores, and lower ADL impairment in patients with dementia.
Conclusion
Psychoeducation improves depression scores more in young working caregivers of patients with dementia with higher MMSE and lower ADL impairment.

Keywords: caregivers, dementia, depression

How to cite this article:
Rabei SH. Depression in caregivers of patients having dementia before and after a psychoeducational course, Cairo. Egypt J Psychiatr 2017;38:65-9

How to cite this URL:
Rabei SH. Depression in caregivers of patients having dementia before and after a psychoeducational course, Cairo. Egypt J Psychiatr [serial online] 2017 [cited 2023 Nov 28];38:65-9. Available from: https://new.ejpsy.eg.net//text.asp?2017/38/2/65/209683

Background

Caring for a mentally ill relative or loved one can be rewarding; yet, it imposes considerable burden on the caregiver (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2009). Caregivers are referred to as ‘hidden victims’, overlooked and untreated. Prevalence rates for depressive symptoms among caregivers of persons with dementia are reported to range from 28 to 55%. Memory function is not the main feature. Rather, personality and behavioral changes cause the most concern. A stressed caregiver is more likely to institutionalize the care recipient, which is often a very stressful process for both the patient and the caregiver. Three patient factors were found to have a strong association with caregiver depression: (a) depression in the dementia patient; (b) activity of daily living (ADL) functional scores of 12 or greater; and (c) the presence of hallucinations. Three caregiver factors − female sex, older age, and poorer health status − were found to have a strong association with caregiver depression. Caregivers have poorer immune responses to viral challenges, slower rates of wound healing, and higher levels of plasma insulin compared with age-matched controls, and are at a greater risk for developing mild hypertension and have increased risk for all-cause mortality (Shah and Wadoo, 2010).

The term ‘psychoeducation’ was first used by Anderson et al. (1980) and was used to describe a behavioral therapeutic concept consisting of four elements: briefing the patients about their illness, problem-solving training, communication training, and self-assertiveness training, whereby relatives were also included (Anderson et al., 1980). Family psychoeducation is an evidence-based practice (Dixon et al., 2001).

An 8-week course, the START (STrAtegies for RelaTives) program, providing education, stress relief, and emotional support for dementia caregivers is a proven cost-effective program to reduce anxiety and depression (Livingston, 2014). Social support was found to mediate depression in caregivers (Shah and Wadoo, 2010). Cognitive-behavioral family intervention can have significant benefits in caregivers of patients with dementia and has a positive impact on patient behavior (Marriott et al., 2000).

Among caregivers with depressive symptoms, 19% used antidepressants and 23% used antianxiety drugs (Sleath et al., 2005). The use of herbal products/supplements was found in 18% of elderly subjects with depression and/or dementia and in 16% of their caregivers (Kales et al., 2004).

The Draft National Service Framework for Wales (2005) points to the vulnerability of caregivers and states that specialist services for people with dementia should include interventions for caregivers, such as structured advice/training, counseling services, or short breaks (Shah and Wadoo, 2010).

Participants and methods

Participants

Inclusion criteria

Fifty caregivers of patients with dementia in the Geriatrics Department Outpatient Clinic, Ain Shams University, Cairo, were recruited.

The inclusion criteria for dementia patients were as follows:

A score below 24/30 on the mini-mental state examination (MMSE).
Fulfilling the criteria of the International Classification of Disease, version 10, symptom checklist for dementia.

ADL questionnaire was used to assess these patients.

Caregivers of dementia patients had to fulfill the following to be eligible for recruitment:

The criteria for depression on a psychiatric interview using the International Classification of Disease, version 10, symptom checklist, with no report of a past history of depressive episodes.
Score positively on Beck’s depression inventory II (BDI-II).

The occupational levels of caregivers were determined as per the family socioeconomic scale.

Ethical considerations

Confidentiality of the patients was assured. Written informed consent was taken from patients and caregivers before participation. The aim and procedures of the study were explained to them. There was no moral or financial pressure laid on them to participate. Results of the study are planned for scientific publication that serves and improves policies and plans affecting their quality of life.

Procedures

Psychoeducational program: over 4 weeks, four meetings were held with caregivers of dementia patients (2 h duration each).

A booklet of 50 pages was prepared in Arabic language as a course material.

Targets and activities of each meeting are summarized in the following table.

Results

Sample description

Caregivers

Ages ranged from 32 to 66 years, with an average of 49 years.
The percentage of female caregivers in the sample was 56%, whereas the percentage of male caregivers was 44%.
Sixty-two percent were married, 24% were divorced, and 14% were single.
Twelve percent were in level 3 occupations, 14% were in level 4 occupations, 28% were in level 5 occupations, and 46% were in level 6 occupations.
Thirty percent were wives, 32% were sons, 26% were daughters, and 12% were cousins ([Figure 1]).

Figure 1: Depression scores on Beck’s depression inventory II among caregivers before and after psychoeducation. Continuous blue line: before psychoeducation; interrupted red line: after psychoeducation.

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The average decrease in depression score was3.6 points.

Patients

The percentage of female patients in the sample was 48%, and the percentage of male patients was 42%.
Patient ages ranged from 64 to 88 years, with a mean of 77 years.
Thirty-six percent were married and 64% were widowed.
MMSE scores ranged from 12 to 24, with an average of 19.2.
ADL scores ranged from 28 to 78% impairment, with an average of 48%.
Forty-two percent were mixed dementia, 24% were Alzheimer’s, 16% were Parkinson’s dementia, 16% were Pick’s dementia, and 2% were pseudodementia.

Associations and correlations

There is a significant inverse correlation between decrease in depression scores on BDI-II before and after psychoeducation and age of caregivers ([Table 1]).

Table 1: Decrease in depression scores on Beck’s depression inventory II before and after psychoeducation in correlation to age of caregivers (Pearson’s correlation)

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There is almost no significant association between the decrease in depression scores on BDI-II before and after psychoeducation and caregivers’ sex ([Table 2]).

Table 2: Decrease in depression scores on Beck’s depression inventory II before and after psychoeducation in association with sex of the caregivers (Mann–Whitney)

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There is a nonsignificant negative association between the decrease in depression scores on BDI-II before and after psychoeducation and caregivers’ marital state (it is best in singles, followed by married and finally divorced caregivers) ([Table 3]).

Table 3: Decrease in depression scores on Beck’s depression inventory II before and after psychoeducation in association with marital state of caregivers (Kruskal–Wallis)

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There is a significant positive association between decrease in depression scores on BDI-II before and after psychoeducation and higher occupational levels ([Table 4]).

Table 4: Decrease in depression scores on Beck’s depression inventory II before and after psychoeducation in association with occupational level of caregivers (Kruskal–Wallis)

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There is a nonsignificant association between decrease in depression scores on BDI-II before and after psychoeducation and dementia type (it is best in pseudodementia, followed by Alzheimer’s, mixed, Parkinson’s, and finally Pick’s) ([Table 5]).

Table 5: Decrease in depression scores on Beck’s depression inventory II before and after psychoeducation in association with type of dementia in patients (Kruskal–Wallis)

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There is a significant correlation between decrease in depression scores on BDI-II before and after psychoeducation and MMSE score ([Table 6]).

Table 6: Decrease in depression scores on Beck’s depression inventory II before and after psychoeducation in correlation to mini-mental state examination score (Pearson’s correlation)

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There is a significant negative correlation between decrease in depression scores on BDI-II before and after psychoeducation and ADL impairment score ([Table 7]).

Table 7: Decrease in depression scores on Beck’s depression inventory II before and after psychoeducation in correlation to activity of daily living score (Pearson’s correlation)

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Discussion

In this study, there was a decrease in scores of depression on BDI-II among caregivers after psychoeducation. Psychoeducation improves depression among caregivers of patients with dementia. This agrees with the findings of Marriott et al. (2000) and Livingston (2014).

In this study, there was a significant inverse correlation between decrease in depression scores on BDI-II before and after psychoeducation and age of caregivers. Caregivers’ ages ranged from 32 to 66 years. Although there was almost no significant association between the decrease in depression scores on BDI-II before and after psychoeducation and caregivers’ sex, male caregivers tended to respond slightly better to psychoeducation. Shah and Wadoo (2010) found a strong association with caregiver depression and female sex and older age.

There was a nonsignificant negative association between the decrease in depression scores on BDI-II before and after psychoeducation and caregivers’ marital status in this study (it is best in singles, followed by married and finally divorced caregivers). Further, there was a significant positive association between decrease in depression scores on BDI-II before and after psychoeducation and higher occupational levels. Role engulfment is common among caregivers because they no longer have the time or energy to engage in other activities (Shah and Wadoo, 2010).

There was a nonsignificant association in this study between decrease in depression scores on BDI-II before and after psychoeducation and dementia type (it is best in pseudodementia, followed by Alzheimer’s, mixed, Parkinson’s, and finally Pick’s). Pick’s dementia has personality changes. Mixed dementia and Parkinson’s are associated with motor impairment. Draper (2004) states that caregivers realize the demands upon them in the moderate stage of illness. Memory function is not of concern as a personality and behavioral change (Draper, 2004). There is a significant correlation, in this study, between decrease in depression scores on BDI-II before and after psychoeducation and MMSE score.

There was a significant negative correlation between decrease in depression scores on BDI-II before and after psychoeducation and ADL impairment in this study. This agrees with the results of Shah and Wadoo (2010) who found a strong association with caregiver depression and ADL functional scores.

Limitations and recommendations

The study did not receive funding to extend the sample to a wider range of institutes and cover a wider geographical area. The following is recommended:

Further research to explore ways of improving psychoeducation and social support to families of psychiatric patients.
Stressing on the value of psychoeducation and social support, and training medical and psychiatry students to practice it efficiently.
Increasing public awareness about the need and value of psychoeducation and social support.
Addressing policymakers to fund research and training and offer psychoeducation and social support to patients and their families.

[9]

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

References

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