Conceptual Development of Cognitive Behavioral Restructuring Intervention Programme of Well-Being for Alzheimer’s Patients and Their Caregivers

Abstract

Background: Ageing related problems are not only one of the most burdensome worry for sufferers and their caregivers but also one of the biggest challenges for many countries of the world and their health care systems. The complexity and multi-factorial nature of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) related to pathology, phases, progression, life expectancy, risk factor, diagnosis has been discussed in details with reference to AD patients and caregivers. Aim: The present study focuses on development of a cognitive-behavioral program that combines theory based, multi-domain training and restructuring intervention strategies of Alzheimer’s patients well-being for whose efficacy is to be determined in randomized controlled case studies with state-of-the-art trial methodology on Alzheimer patients and their caregiver in India. The research tries to develop a generalized as well as individualized cognitive behavioral therapy model for Alzheimer patients and their caregivers in Indian context by restraining the shortcomings of worldwide previous researches in several respects. Design: The Pre-test post-test non-equivalent control group research design will be used. A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease will be made in consensus including the neurologist, neuro-psychiatrist and neuro-psychologists based on the review of the clinical, neurological and investigation results. Discussion: The cognitive-behavioral restructuring program of well-being for AD patients will consists of fourteen modules in following six sessions: diagnosis and goal setting; psycho-education, engagement in pleasant activities; cognitive restructuring; training of the caregiver in behavior management techniques and intervention for the caregivers. It will be individualized according to individual problems of the subject and the caregiver.