Brent T Mausbach1, Rosa Romero-Moreno, Taylor Bos, Roland von Känel, Michael G Ziegler, Matthew A Allison, Paul J Mills, Joel E Dimsdale, Sonia Ancoli-Israel, Andrés Losada, María Márquez-González, Thomas L Patterson, Igor Grant. 1. From the Department of Psychiatry (Mausbach, Mills, Dimsdale, Ancoli-Israel, Patterson, Grant), University of California San Diego, La Jolla; Department of Psychology (Romero-Moreno, Losada), Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain; Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology (Bos), San Diego State University/University of California San Diego; Department of Clinical Research (von Känel), University of Bern, Switzerland; Department of Psychosomatic Medicine (von Känel), Clinic Barmelweid, Switzerland; Departments of Medicine (Ziegler, Ancoli-Israel) and Family Medicine and Public Health (Allison, Mills), University of California San Diego, La Jolla; and Department of Biological and Health Psychology (Márquez-González), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Elevated blood pressure is a significant public health concern, particularly given its association with cardiovascular disease risk, including stroke. Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer disease has been associated with physical health morbidity, including higher blood pressure. Engagement in adaptive coping strategies may help prevent blood pressure elevation in this population. This 5-year longitudinal study examined whether greater participation in pleasant leisure activities was associated with reduced blood pressure in caregivers. METHODS: Participants were 126 in-home spousal Alzheimer's caregivers (M [SD] age = 74.2 [7.9] years) that completed five yearly assessments. Linear mixed-effects models analysis was used to examine the longitudinal relationship between pleasant leisure activities and caregivers' blood pressure, after adjusting for demographic and health characteristics. RESULTS: Greater engagement in pleasant leisure activities was associated with reduced mean arterial blood pressure (B = -0.08, SE = 0.04, p = .040). Follow-up analyses indicated that engagement in activities was significantly associated with reduced diastolic (B = -0.07, SE = 0.03, p = .030) but not systolic blood pressure (B = -0.10, SE = 0.06, p = .114). In addition, mean arterial blood pressure was significantly reduced when caregiving duties ended because of placement of care recipients in nursing homes (B = -3.10, SE = 1.11, p = .005) or death of the care recipient (B = -2.64, SE = 1.14, p = .021). CONCLUSIONS: Greater engagement in pleasant leisure activities was associated with lowered caregivers' blood pressure over time. Participation in pleasant leisure activities may have cardiovascular health benefits for Alzheimer's caregivers.
OBJECTIVE: Elevated blood pressure is a significant public health concern, particularly given its association with cardiovascular disease risk, including stroke. Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer disease has been associated with physical health morbidity, including higher blood pressure. Engagement in adaptive coping strategies may help prevent blood pressure elevation in this population. This 5-year longitudinal study examined whether greater participation in pleasant leisure activities was associated with reduced blood pressure in caregivers. METHODS: Participants were 126 in-home spousal Alzheimer's caregivers (M [SD] age = 74.2 [7.9] years) that completed five yearly assessments. Linear mixed-effects models analysis was used to examine the longitudinal relationship between pleasant leisure activities and caregivers' blood pressure, after adjusting for demographic and health characteristics. RESULTS: Greater engagement in pleasant leisure activities was associated with reduced mean arterial blood pressure (B = -0.08, SE = 0.04, p = .040). Follow-up analyses indicated that engagement in activities was significantly associated with reduced diastolic (B = -0.07, SE = 0.03, p = .030) but not systolic blood pressure (B = -0.10, SE = 0.06, p = .114). In addition, mean arterial blood pressure was significantly reduced when caregiving duties ended because of placement of care recipients in nursing homes (B = -3.10, SE = 1.11, p = .005) or death of the care recipient (B = -2.64, SE = 1.14, p = .021). CONCLUSIONS: Greater engagement in pleasant leisure activities was associated with lowered caregivers' blood pressure over time. Participation in pleasant leisure activities may have cardiovascular health benefits for Alzheimer's caregivers.
Authors: Brent T Mausbach; Kirstin Aschbacher; Thomas L Patterson; Roland von Känel; Joel E Dimsdale; Paul J Mills; Sonia Ancoli-Israel; Igor Grant Journal: J Psychosom Res Date: 2007-04 Impact factor: 3.006
Authors: Tari D Topolski; James LoGerfo; Donald L Patrick; Barbara Williams; Julie Walwick; Marsha B Patrick Journal: Prev Chronic Dis Date: 2006-09-15 Impact factor: 2.830