Stress and Blood Pressure Management for Caregivers

Description

Due to health and wealth disparities, no demographic group is more at risk than African American women for the double jeopardy of stress from caregiving for persons living with dementia (PLWD) and stress associated with hypertension (HTN). This double jeopardy puts those they care for in jeopardy as well: Reduced quality of life and longevity, disability, cognitive decline, and stroke associated with HTN1 impede caregiving activities and resultant health and well-being for persons living with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). Although successful multi-component interventions have addressed ADRD caregiver stress (REACH II) and the Savvy Caregiver program, to our knowledge there are no interventions that target the complexity of chronic caregiving stress and HTN self-care for African American women caregivers of persons living with ADRD. This project will test two interventions for their effectiveness in improving outcomes for the target group: Mindfulness in Motion (MIM) and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH). MIM includes mindful awareness and movement from a seated position, breathing exercises, healthy sleep, and guided mindfulness meditation. The DASH component will be tailored for Black Americans. It uses a critical thinking approach that involves problem solving, participant-centered goal setting, health coaching, reflection, and development of self-efficacy (confidence) to promote physical activity and healthy eating. Solid empirical evidence demonstrates its effectiveness in reducing blood pressure among mixed-race samples.

Conditions

Hypertension, Stress, Psychological

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

Due to health and wealth disparities, no demographic group is more at risk than African American women for the double jeopardy of stress from caregiving for persons living with dementia (PLWD) and stress associated with hypertension (HTN). This double jeopardy puts those they care for in jeopardy as well: Reduced quality of life and longevity, disability, cognitive decline, and stroke associated with HTN1 impede caregiving activities and resultant health and well-being for persons living with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). Although successful multi-component interventions have addressed ADRD caregiver stress (REACH II) and the Savvy Caregiver program, to our knowledge there are no interventions that target the complexity of chronic caregiving stress and HTN self-care for African American women caregivers of persons living with ADRD. This project will test two interventions for their effectiveness in improving outcomes for the target group: Mindfulness in Motion (MIM) and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH). MIM includes mindful awareness and movement from a seated position, breathing exercises, healthy sleep, and guided mindfulness meditation. The DASH component will be tailored for Black Americans. It uses a critical thinking approach that involves problem solving, participant-centered goal setting, health coaching, reflection, and development of self-efficacy (confidence) to promote physical activity and healthy eating. Solid empirical evidence demonstrates its effectiveness in reducing blood pressure among mixed-race samples.

Self-Care and Blood Pressure for Women Caregivers of Black and African-Americans With Alzheimer's Disease or Other Memory Problems *

Stress and Blood Pressure Management for Caregivers

Condition
Hypertension
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Columbus

Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States, 43210

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

    Ages Eligible for Study

    40 Years to

    Sexes Eligible for Study

    FEMALE

    Accepts Healthy Volunteers

    No

    Collaborators and Investigators

    Ohio State University,

    Kathy Wright, PhD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, Ohio State University

    Study Record Dates

    2026-09-30