The influence of a systematic program of circle dances in psychoneuroimmunological aspects in elderly caregivers of patients with Alzheimer's Disease

Abstract

The responsibility of daily care can influence the incidence of chronic stress. Chronic stress is recognized as a major factor of health injury in older caregivers of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). The practice of physical activity on a regular basis has been recommended as non-pharmacological treatment, besides the recommendation there is a paucity of studies for the purpose of correlate physical activity with older caregivers of patients with AD. Thereby, the present study aims to analyze the influence of a systematic circular dances program on psychoneuroimmunological aspects of older caregivers of patients with AD. At the first stage, we intend to conduct a descriptive exploratory study using 45 older caregivers and 45 non-caregivers. At the second stage, an experimental study will be performed with two different groups, as following: a) training caregivers group (TCG, n = 15), who will be enrolled in the intervention protocol (four months of circular dances; three non consecutive day per week; sessions of 60 minutes); and b) control caregivers group (CCG, n = 15), who will not be engaged in the intervention protocol. The evaluation protocol will be done by means of: Modified Baecke Questionnaire for Older Adults; AAHPERD Physical Fitness Tests for Older Adults; Timed Up and Go; Berg Functional Balance Scale; 30-second stand and seat chair tests; Functional Independence Measurement; Economic Classification Criteria Brazil; Lipp Stress Symptom Inventory; Zarit Burden Interview Scale; Neuropsychiatric Inventory, Geriatric Depression Scale; Interpersonal Support Evaluation List; Mini Mental State Examination; Time Perception; and biochemical parameters (cholesterol fractions, glucose, cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and complete hemogram). Data will be analyzed using standard statistical procedures, and comparison hypothesis tests will be performed seeking for differences between groups and intervention protocol, adopting p d 0.05.