Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41275399›Full record

Trial reportThe Gerontologist2025

The effectiveness of a hybrid mindfulness-based intervention in reducing stress among informal caregivers of people with dementia: a randomized controlled trial.

Patrick Pui Kin Kor, Alex Pak Lik Tsang, Daniel Lok Lam Lai, Justina Yat Wa Liu

Abstract readRandomized Controlled Trial
In one paragraph

Trial report in The Gerontologist, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Patrick Pui Kin KorSchool of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.ORCID 0000-0002-9785-973X
Alex Pak Lik TsangSchool of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.ORCID 0000-0003-2919-1587
Daniel Lok Lam LaiDepartment of Clinical Psychology, Kwong Wah Hospital, Hospital Authority, Hong Kong, China.
Justina Yat Wa LiuSchool of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.

Funding

Early Career Scheme, Research 25601921
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND

objectivesInformal caregivers of people with dementia experience significant caregiving stress. Mindfulness-based interventions are effective approaches for alleviating caregiving stress. However, traditional mindfulness training is intensive and challenging to attend due to the substantial caregiving responsibilities of this population, leading to issues with program attrition and adherence. To address this limitation, a novel Mindfulness-Based Dementia Care Program (MBDCP) was developed by simplifying traditional mindfulness training and utilizing a hybrid delivery model tailored to the needs of dementia caregivers. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the MBDCP in reducing caregiving stress compared with a brief education program. RESEARCH DESIGN AND

methodsA single-blinded, parallel-group randomized controlled trial was conducted with 127 dementia caregivers (MBDCP: n = 64; Control: n = 63) recruited from three community care centers in Hong Kong. The MBDCP included six weekly 90-min sessions delivered through face-to-face and online formats. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, postintervention, and 6-month follow-up. The primary outcome was perceived stress, whereas secondary outcomes included heart rate variability, mindfulness, depressive symptoms, caregiving burden, dyadic relationships, and neuropsychiatric symptoms of care recipients.

resultsMBDCP significantly improved perceived stress, depressive symptoms, trait mindfulness, and heart rate variability compared with the control group. No significant effects were observed on caregiving burden, dyadic relationships, positive caregiving aspects, or neuropsychiatric symptoms. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: The MBDCP effectively reduced stress and improved psychophysiological outcomes in dementia caregivers. These findings highlight the potential of simplified, hybrid mindfulness training to enhance accessibility and effectiveness for this population.

Indexed as

CaregiversDementiaMindfulnessStress, PsychologicalAgedAged, 80 and overDepressionFemaleHong KongHumansMaleMiddle AgedSingle-Blind MethodCaregiver burdenCaregiversDementiaMindfulness-based cognitive therapyRandomized controlled trial

Identifiers

PMID41275399
PMCPMC12714390

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.