In-home respite intervention reduces plasma XXXX in stressed Alzheimer caregivers.

@entity1 @entity308 @entity1425 @entity1109 @entity458 @entity148 @entity2922 @entity195 @entity1063
OBJECTIVE: Some excess morbidity and mortality in Alzheimer caregivers (CGs) may be related to chronic activation of the sympatho-adrenal-medullary (SAM) system. Authors tested the efficacy of an in-home respite intervention to reduce peripheral markers of SAM activation and @entity458 in spousal caregivers of @entity1 with @entity195 . METHODS: Caregivers were classified as Vulnerable (n = 27) or Non-Vulnerable (n = 28). Vulnerable CGs were those with a severe mismatch between caregiving demand and help received in the preceding 6 months. CGs had plasma @entity2922 levels sampled at rest and in response to a stressor (speech task) before and 1 month after a 2-week in-home respite intervention. Self-reported symptoms of @entity148 and @entity308 were also obtained. RESULTS: ANOVA revealed a group x treatment interaction: At the 1-month follow-up, plasma @entity1425 declined significantly in the vulnerable caregivers who received respite, but rose in those who were wait-listed. No effect was found for @entity1063 , heart rate, blood pressure, or @entity1109 . CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that an in-home respite program may reduce SAM activation independent of @entity1109 . To the extent that sympathetic activation mediates pathophysiological events, these results suggest an approach that may reduce morbidity and mortality in certain caregivers.
