Imagery therapy showed promising stress results for dementia caregivers
In a small pilot trial, family dementia caregivers receiving mindfulness and guided imagery therapy reported less perceived stress than those in a support group. The size and persistence of differences remain unclear.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
The imagery therapy group showed statistically significant improvements in perceived stress, resilience and several positive psychological traits compared with the support group. Changes in mindfulness were statistically linked to many outcomes. These preliminary findings come from a small pilot analysis and need confirmation; the abstract does not show how much caregivers improved or when differences were strongest.
These were secondary outcomes from a small pilot trial. The abstract provides no effect estimates or separate results for each assessment time, so magnitude and persistence cannot be assessed.
What researchers found
Caregivers' perceived stress
Imagery therapy versus psychosocial support; measured after the group and at 4 months, but the abstract does not separate the result by assessment time.
More than a stress measure
The analysis also examined resilience, spiritual well-being and other positive psychological traits. These outcomes concern caregivers' own psychological experiences; they do not establish changes in the dementia symptoms of the people receiving care.
What the mindfulness analysis suggests
The researchers tested whether changes in mindfulness statistically accounted for relationships between the assigned group and later outcomes. This suggests a possible role for mindfulness, but the analysis alone does not establish a causal mechanism.
The original publication
Brief mentalizing imagery therapy reduces stress and enhances positive psychological traits in family dementia caregivers: mediation by mindfulness.
Gutierrez-Ramirez P, Ramirez Gomez LA, Zea M et al.
Aging Ment Health · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 40552377
- Record checked
AI-assisted research and writing. This explains one selected publication; it is not a complete review of everything known. Our approach.
One more question, understood.
Keep track of the research you’ve explored.