認知症の家族介護者の介護負担感が起床時コルチゾール反応に及ぼす影響

抄録

Present study was to investigate the effects of caregiver burden on cortisol awakening response (CAR) in dementia caregivers. The participants were 156 women caring for family member with dementia. The participants were extracted the high burden group (more than 21) or the low burden group (less than 21) by the Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview. The participants collected the saliva samples, and completed the questionnaire at their home. The saliva samples were collected four occasions: immediately, on awakening, 30 minutes after awakening, 17:00 pm, and 21:00 pm. CAR has occurred for only the low burden group, but not for the high burden group. These results indicated that the high burden group felt caregiver burden strongly, and had lapsed into the chronic stress state. These findings suggest that high intensity caregiving situations might lead to dysregulated the HPA system due to chronic stress that reflects the psychological and physical exhausted.