The Gerontologist Advance Access published online on April 18, 2009
The Gerontologist, doi:10.1093/geront/gnp032
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A Randomized Trial of a CAM Therapy for Stress Reduction in American Indian and Alaskan Native Family Caregivers
2 Center for Traditional Medicine, Center for World Indigenous Studies, Olympia, Washington
3 Department of Psychosocial & Community Health, University of Washington School of Nursing, Seattle
4 The Mountain-Whisper-Light Statistical Consulting, East, Seattle, Washington
5 Department of Pediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle
6 Department of Anthropology, Central Washington State University, Ellensburg
7 Center for World Indigenous Studies, Olympia, Washington
1 Address correspondence to Leslie Korn, PhD, MPH, RPP, Center for Traditional Medicine, Center for World Indigenous Studies, 1001 Cooper Point Road SW 140-214, Olympia, WA 98502. E-mail: lekorn{at}cwis.org
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Abstract |
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Purpose: Although it is widely recognized that caregivers of individuals with dementia experience elevated stress that places them at increased risk for health problems, little is known about how caregiving stress may be alleviated among underserved ethnic minority populations. The purpose of this study was to compare a complementary and alternative medicine therapy, polarity therapy (PT), to an enhanced respite control condition (ERC) to reduce stress and depression and improve quality of life for American Indian (AI) and Alaskan Native family caregivers. Design and Methods: Forty-two AI family caregivers of individuals with dementia, living on and off reservations in the Pacific Northwest, were randomized to an 8-session trial of PT or ERC. PT is a touch therapy that uses gentle pressure on energy points and biofields to help the client achieve physiological relaxation. ERC included respite care for the person with dementia and a choice of activities for the caregiver. Average age of caregivers was 50 years (range 27–69 years); 90% were women; 52% daughters, 10% wives, 7% sons, and 31% other relatives. Outcome assessments administered at baseline and posttreatment included caregiver perceived stress, depression, quality of life, sleep quality, worry, and physical health. Results: PT participants improved significantly more than ERC participants on stress (p = .01), depression (p = .045.), bodily pain (p = .02), vitality (p = .03), and general health (p = .01). Implications: These results indicate that the delivery of PT to AI dementia family caregivers is feasible and culturally acceptable and may be an important approach to reducing stress, depression, and pain.
Keywords: Polarity therapy, Touch therapy, Massage, Complementary and alternative medicine
Received November 11, 2007; Accepted May 28, 2008