J Korean Geriatr Psychiatry.  2017 Apr;21(1):17-28. 10.0000/jkgp.2017.21.1.17.

Comparative Study of the Effects of Supportive Educational Programs : for Family Caregivers of the Elderly with Dementia

• Song H
• Kang JM
• Kim SB
• Cho SJ
• Yun S
• Yoon H
• Yeon BK

• KMID: 2379251
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.0000/jkgp.2017.21.1.17

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
We studied the effect of Hyu-Sig-Gong-Gan and Hye-Ah-Rim on several evaluations and compared the two programs. We then investigated factors associated with the difference between pre- and post-ratings.
METHODS
Thirty-six patients were randomized to Hyu-Sig-Gong-Gan (n=23) or Hye-Ah-Rim (n=13). We tested for the effect of each program on several evaluations and compared the two programs through Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale, Dementia Attitude Scale (DAS)-intelligence, DAS-comfort and DAS-total. We then investigated whether the difference between pre- and post-rating depends on other factors.
RESULTS
We observed significant positive effect of Hyu-Sig-Gong-Gan on DAS-comfort (t=1.843, p=0.039) and significant positive effect of Hye-Ah-Rim on ZBI (t=-2.327, p=0.019), DAS-comfort (t=2.241, p=0.022), and EuroQol-5 Dimensions-Visual Analogue Scale (t=2.537, p=0.013). For comparing the two programs, we found a lack of evidence for the difference in any of the five commonly observed evaluations. In the secondary analysis, we observed a strong trend that the two programs were particularly effective for caregivers with negative pre-ratings.
CONCLUSION
The two programs showed positive effects on the various evaluations, but some evaluations could not reach statistical significance. The programs appear to be particularly helpful for those who are in need before the program participation.

Keyword

Dementia; Caregivers; Burden; Program evaluation

MeSH Terms

Aged*
Caregivers*
Dementia*
Humans
Program Evaluation