Prevenzione del caregiver burden: effetti di un intervento psicologico di gruppo rivolto ai familiari di pazienti affetti da Malattia di Alzheimer

Cregiver burden prevention: effect of a psychological support group for families. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of a psychoeducational and psychological support group for Alzheimer Disease family caregivers. We compare differents dyads patient-carer groups: the experimental group partecipating to the training, and the control group with no interventions. We also study if there are differences in the progression of dementia as outcome of the intervention with carers. Patients were evaluated, at the baseline and at 12 months, for their cognitive, neuropsychological and functional impairment, other then for depression. Caregivers were evaluated with scales for the assessment of burden, distress related to neuropsychological disturbances and depression. Results are discussed