Purpose : This study examined the effects of a self-efficacy improvement program (SE improvement PGM) on the care given by family caregivers for behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD).
Methods : A total of 57 caregivers were studied. Twenty five were placed in the control group (CG) and 32 in the intervention group (IG). A program consisting of information on dementia, interaction with other caregivers, and relaxation techniques was provided to both groups. The IG was also provided the SE improvement PGM. The primary outcome studied was degree of self-efficacy, while the appearance of BPSD and sense of burden, depressive moods, and knowledge regarding dementia were assessed as secondary outcomes.. The effects of the program were examined using questionnaires, such as the Japanese version of the revised scale for caregiving self-efficacy (J-RSCSE), Neuropsychiatric Inventory-Brief Questionnaire Form (NPI-Q), Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview (J-ZBI_8Y), Geriatric Depression Scale short version (GDS5), and Alzheimer Disease of Knowledge Scale (J-ADKS), which the subjects answered at pre- and, post-program, and at two-months (2M) post-program.
Results : The SE-Responding to Disruptive Patient Behaviors (SE-RDPB) scores for the J-RSCSE subscale was significantly improved in the IG as compared to the CG at pre- and 2M-post-program (difference of scores ; 9.9±17.8, p<.001). Analysis of covariance using age, gender, and degree of autonomy, as covariates, showed that the SE-RDPB scores of the IG were significantly improved compared with those of the CG (F=6.15, p=.02).
Conclusion : SE improvement PGM significantly improves the self-efficacy of dementia caregivers, especially, in the context of SE-RDPB.