The Effect of the Progressively Lowered Stress Threshold Model Training Program on Depression and Care Burden in Dementia Patient Caregivers

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of the Progressively Lowered Stress Threshold training program on depression and care burden in dementia patient caregivers. Materials and Methods. We applied an experimental model based on a pretest-posttest control group. The sample consisted of 140 dementia caregivers (the experimental group and the control group with 70 participants per group). The sample size was determined, and the participants were allocated to groups using power analysis. Data of the study were collected between April 15, 2016 and July 15, 2016. For the pre-test, both groups were provided with the Sociodemographic Characteristics Form, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Caregiver Burden of Dementia Patient Caregiver Scale (CBDPCS) to be filled in. Then, the experimenter visited the homes of the experimental group patients twice at 2-week intervals to provide nursing care based on the Progressively Lowered Stress Threshold Model. Finally, after 8 weeks, the post-test was conducted by letting both groups complete the Sociodemographic Characteristics Form, the BDI, and the CBDPCS once again. Percentage, chi-square, in independent and dependent sample t-tests were used to evaluate the related data. Results. The mean BDI score was 15.61 ± 10.97 in the pre-test and 11.08 ± 8.82 in the post-test (t=6.738, p=0.001). The mean pre-test and post-test total CBDPCS scores of caregivers were 67.02 ± 16.23 and 59.27 ± 15.25, respectively (t=5.974, p=0.001). The difference between the intergroup comparison of the mean experiment and control group post-test scores was statistically significant (p=0.001) on the CBDPCS and the total BDI score. Conclusions. Our results suggest that education provided to caregivers can efficiently decrease their care burden and depression levels