Exercise Helps Caregivers Manage Stress

Source: Tufts University
March 27, 2002 (Reviewed: March 7, 2004)

The round-the-clock demands of caring for a person with Alzheimer's disease puts a tremendous amount of stress on caregivers. They often don't have the time -- or the energy -- to take care of their own health needs, a situation that puts them at increased risk for chronic conditions like heart disease. A study in the Journal of Gerontology offers a possible compromise, showing that even a moderate level of physical activity --done in 30-minute sessions in and around the home -- may help caregivers safeguard their health.

Making time for exercise

Researchers from Stanford University in California recruited 100 postmenopausal women who spent at least 10 hours each week caring for a relative with Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia. The women completed tests designed to assess their physical and emotional health, sleep quality, and response to stress. Mean Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scores placed the group in the mild depression range, with an average score twice that of their non-caregiver peers. Likewise, initial scores on the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) - a measure of psychological stress - were an average 10 points higher than a sample of non-caregiver women of similar demographics.

Half of the women were instructed to either walk briskly in their neighborhood or exercise in their homes (using a stationary bike or exercise video) for a 30-minute session, four times a week. Exercise logs were used to track workout sessions and heart rate. The other half received instruction on how to follow a low-fat "heart-healthy" diet, but was not asked to exercise. What was unusual about this program is that all participants received their initial instructions and follow-up support by phone. None were required to travel to the study center, an accommodation that allowed women with very little free time to participate.

More activity, less stress

Treadmill tests showed no change in fitness level among study participants, although the exercisers did expend about 1000 calories per week more than the others in the study. The biggest improvements appeared to be in how the participants dealt with stress. Both groups reported that depression was less of a problem after participating in the program. In fact, average BDI score at the end of the study was below the cut-off point used to indicate mild depression. In addition, those in the exercise group reported a marked improvement in the quality of their sleep, as well as lower blood pressure reactivity levels in response to stressful situations (p<0.03).

Taking Care of the Caregivers

The authors acknowledge that it can be hard for caregivers to carve out enough personal time to take care of their own health needs, and no wonder -- the women in this study spent an average of 72 hours per week caring for a mentally incapacitated spouse or parent. But the number of older women who find themselves in this situation is growing, making this a public health issue that the medical profession can't afford to ignore. The solution, say the authors, are fitness programs, such as the one described in this study, that address the unique needs of this group of older women.

Source

• Effects of moderate-intensity exercise on physiological, behavioral, and emotional responses to family caregiving: a randomized controlled trial. AC. King, K. Baumann, P. O'Sullivan,  et al., J Gerontol, 2002, vol. 57, pp. M26--M36

Related Links
How To Spot Caregiver Burnout
Good Health Habits Help Women's Hearts
Caregivers at Risk
Generalized Anxiety in Late Life: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
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