ESTUDIO EDUCA-I

Referencia:

Martín-Carrasco M, Martín MF, Valero CP, Millán PR, García CI, Montalbán SR, Vázquez AL, Piris SP, Vilanova MB. Effectiveness of a psychoeducational intervention program in the reduction of caregiver burden in Alzheimer's disease patients' caregivers. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2009 May;24(5):489-99

Abstract:

OBJECTIVES: Caregivers of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) experience physical and psychological stress due to the caring experience. This study evaluated the benefits of a Psychoeducational Intervention Program (PIP) on caregiver burden in southern Europe. METHODS: A multicentre, prospective, randomised study was conducted. One hundred  and fifteen caregivers of patients with clinical diagnosis of AD (DSM-IV-TR criteria, mini-mental score = 10-26) and functional impairment (Lawton and Brody  Scale and Katz Index) were recruited. Caregivers were randomised to receive either PIP (IG: intervention group, n = 60) or standard care (CG: control group,  n = 55). PIP consisted of eight individual sessions over 4 months for teaching strategies for confronting problems of AD patient care. Caregivers' stress, quality of life and perceived health were measured using validated scales (Zarit, SF-36, GHQ-28, respectively) at baseline and after 4 and 10-months follow-up. RESULTS: Mean change in caregiver burden (Zarit baseline-Zarit final scores) was  statistically significant (p = 0.0083) showing an improvement in the IG (-8.09 points) and a worsening in the CG (2.08 points). The IG showed significant improvements in all the well-being perception areas measured by the SF-36 and a significantly lower score in the GHQ-28 (p = 0.0004). 97.7% of caregivers and 88.6% of therapists considered PIP 'useful/very useful' at 4 months (the end of PIP) whereas at 10 months the estimates were 93.2% and 86.3%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Psychosocial training of caregivers can minimise caregiver distress  and help them to develop problem-solving strategies. A PIP improves quality of life and the perceived health of caregivers of patients with AD.

Referencia:

Martin-Carrasco M, Otermin P, Pérez-Camo V, Pujol J, Agüera L, Martín MJ, Gobartt AL, Pons S, Balañá M. EDUCA study: Psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale. Aging Ment Health. 2010 Aug;14(6):705-11

Abstract:

OBJECTIVES: The Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale, translated and validated into Spanish, is sensitive to the application of a Psychoeducational Intervention Program (PIP) for the prevention and reduction of burden in caregivers of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients (EDUCA study). The data obtained in EDUCA was used to reanalyse its psychometric properties and the cut-off points of the Zarit scale. METHODS: The scale was administered to 115 caregivers of patients with AD who were randomised to receive a PIP or standard care for four months. Internal reliability and a factorial analysis of principal components were assessed, and the impact of PIP on each of the subscales was evaluated. A cut-off point was defined for the Zarit scale to identify the caregivers most sensitive to receiving a PIP. RESULTS: A good internal reliability (Cronbach alpha coefficient of 0.92) was obtained, with three principal components (burden, competency and dependence) explaining 54.75% of the variance. The application of PIP showed statistically significant differences versus standard care for the dependence subscale (p = 0.0082) (p = 0.062 for the burden scale). The Zarit scale cut-off points which combine better sensitivity and specificity were 56/57 and 59/60, for the 5/6 and  6/7 cut-off points of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) scale, respectively CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the good psychometric properties of the Zarit scale found in previous studies. The dependence component appeared to be most influenced by the application of a PIP in the clinical trial. Caregivers with a Zarit scale score of 60 or more benefit most from the PIP.

PROCEDIMIENTOS UTILIZADOS EN HOSPITALES DE CANTABRIA, LA RIOJA, NAVARRA Y PAIS VASCO PARA PROTEGER LA CONFIDENCIALIDAD DE LOS DATOS PERSONALES*

Eduardo González Fraile, Alejandro Artetxe García, Javier Yetano. 

*Este estudio forma parte del proyecto de investigación "Evaluación de la protección de la intimidad, de la confidencialidad de los datos personales relativos a la salud y de las condiciones de acceso a dicha información en los hospitales españoles" (PI061758). En colaboración con NORDOC.

Financiado: Fondo Investigación Sanitaria (ISCIII).

Referencia: 

1.González Fraile E, Artetxe García A, Yetano Laguna, Seoane Rodríguez JA. Procedimientos utilizados en hospitales de Cantabria, La Rioja, Navarra y País Vasco para proteger la confidencialidad de los datos personales. Papeles Médicos 2009; Vol. 18, Núm. 2