Building on the empirical foundation of Mindful-Compassion Art Therapy for healthcare workers, Mindful-Compassion Art-based Therapy for Dementia Care (MCAT-DC) is developed to foster self-compassion and resilience among dementia family caregivers. Specifically, MCAT-DC is a multicomponent, group-based psycho-socio-spiritual intervention that integrates mindfulness meditation, creative expression, and reflective awareness in four weekly 2.5-hour standardized sessions. This study adopted a waitlist randomized controlled trial design to test the effectiveness of MCAT-DC, involving 89 dementia caregivers who completed baseline and follow-up assessments. Between-group analysis using Mann-Whitney U test revealed significant reduction in perceived stress, assessed using Perceived Stress Scale, among caregivers in the immediate treatment group (mean rank=38.87) as compared to those in the waitlist control group (mean rank=51.72) after completing MCAT-DC (U=714.0, z=-2.29, p=.022). Friedman test with follow-up Wilcoxon Signed Rank test was conducted to examine the efficacy of MCAT-DC across time (i.e., baseline [T1], post-intervention [T2], three-month [T3], and six-month follow-up [T4]). Statistical findings showed significant decrease in caregiving burden at T2 (z=-2.24, p=.025, r=.168) with maintenance effect at T3 (z=-3.32, p<.001, r=.248) and T4 (z=1.97, p=.049, r=.147), as assessed using Zarit Burden Interview. Significant reduction in depressive symptoms, assessed using Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, was observed among caregivers at T2 (z=-2.64, p=.008, r=.198). Caregivers also experienced significant increase in sense of peace, assessed using Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy – Spiritual Wellbeing, at T2 (z=-2.43, p=.015, r=.182). These findings reflect MCAT-DC’s efficacy in safeguarding dementia caregivers’ wellbeing and promoting healthy, sustainable caregiving. Experiential narratives of caregivers will be discussed. Authors:
Andy Hau Yan Ho, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Geraldine Tan-Ho, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Ping Ying Choo, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

About the Presenter(s)
Dr Andy HO is Head of Psychology and Associate Professor at Nanyang Technological University Singapore. He specializes in public health and mental health, thanatology, gerontology, integrative psychotherapy, and community empowerment.

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyhyho/

Connect on ResearchGate
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Andy-Ho-4

Additional website of interest
https://dr.ntu.edu.sg/cris/rp/rp00116

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