Study of the effects of mindfulness training on quality of life of patients with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers (Dyad Mindfulness Project)

Background: The training of mindfulness enhances the emotive and cognitive equilibrium and well-being in older adults. So some authors hypothesize it is an appropriate approach to cultivating these benefits and a good quality of life in Alzheimer's patients (AD-P) at early stage and in their caregivers (Cg) (Dyad).

Aim: Our main hypothesis is that AD-P and Cg who completed the program of Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBIs) training would experience improvements in well-being and mood and cognitive performance (AD-P: attention and memory).

Methods: The perspective randomized controlled will enroll the Dyad of 80 Alzheimer's patients (age ≥ 60) and 80 caregivers (age > 18) who will be randomly assigned to 6 months MBI training in groups and to control group study. All outcome will be analyzed before intervention (baseline), after follow-up 1 (at the end of treatment), after 6 months (follow-up 2) and after 1 year (follow-up 3) from the end of treatment.

Discussion: AD-P-expected outcomes: (a) improvement of the quality of life (QoL-AD); (b) decrease of depression (BDI); (c) improvement of spiritual well-being (Facit SWB Index); (d) improvement of attention and good cognitive performance Rey Memory Test (MFIT); (e) decrease of neuropsychiatric symptoms. (NPI)-Cg-expected outcomes: (a) improvement of the quality of life (SF36); (b) decrease of the care burden (CBI); (c) decrease of depression (BDI); (d) improvement of self-awareness (FFMQ); (e) increase in spiritual-well-being (Facit SWB).

Conclusions: This study could provide a clues on multidisciplinary interventions as secondary prevention of Alzheimer's dementia and on stress reduction in family caregivers.