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Current Research: Integrative Medicine
CAM Therapies 2017
September 18-19, 2017 Charlotte, USA
5
th
International Meeting on
Complementary and Alternative Medicine & Therapies
Central meditation imagery therapy to decrease dementia caregiver distress
Christina Arostegui
Viterbo University, USA
C
urrently there are over 15 million family members and friends who provide unpaid care to persons with
dementia. Dementia caregivers experience disproportionately greater morbidity, mortality, heath care
costs, anxiety, and depression. According to the literature, dementia caregivers may benefit from a meditation
intervention to reduce stress, to promote self-awareness and problem solving skills, and to manage judgmental
attitudes and negative emotions. Central Meditation Imagery Therapy (CMIT) has been shown to reduce
depression, insomnia, anxiety, and improve mindfulness in dementia caregivers (Jain, 2014).
Purpose:
The purpose of this project was to reduce caregiver distress through the delivery of a low-cost, evidence-
based intervention designed for community-dwelling dementia caregivers.
Design:
An evidence-based, in-person, guided imagery, and meditation intervention, informed by Younger’s
theory of mastery (1991), was provided to six dementia caregivers who participated in weekly 90-minute sessions
held over the course of four weeks. Participants were asked to practice at least four times per week and to journal
about feelings and thoughts related to their meditative practice. Scores from anxiety, insomnia, mindfulness, and
quality of life psychometric instruments were collected from participants pre-and post-intervention. Quotes from
participant’s journals were evaluated for themes.
Results:
A reduction in anxiety, insomnia, and an improvement in quality-of-life measures and mindfulness
was reported post-intervention. Themes that emerged from participant’s journals were indicative of conscious
breathing, greater relaxation, improved sleep, and heightened compassion and self-awareness. Participants
reported qualitative shifts in their ability to problem solve and improved relationships with the person with
dementia.
Clinical Implications:
CMIT is an effective, low-cost intervention that is less complex than multidimensional
interventions and can be implemented in either a group or home setting. Other caregiver populations such as
parents of special need children, caregivers of person with disabilities, or even professional caregivers may also
benefit from the intervention.
Conclusions:
A reduction in anxiety, insomnia, and an improvement in quality-of-life measures and mindfulness
were noted in the wellness and health promotion program. Themes that emerged from participant’s journals
were indicative of more conscious breathing, greater relaxation, improved sleep, heightened compassion, and
self-awareness. Participants reported qualitative shifts in their ability to problem solve and improve relationship
with the person with dementia.
christina.arostegui79@gmail.com