Article of the month September 2017

The website committee selected the paper of Mausbach et al. as publication of the month September. This study links a psychosocial intervention for caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s Disease (adaptive coping by engaging in pleasant activities) to a medical outcome: blood pressure. The 126 participants were followed for five years. Greater engagement in pleasant leisure activities was associated with lowered caregivers’ blood pressure over time. Participation in pleasant leisure activities may have cardiovascular health benefits for Alzheimer’s caregivers.

Reference: Mausbach BT, et al. Engagement in Pleasant Leisure Activities and Blood Pressure: A 5-Year Longitudinal Study in Alzheimer Caregivers. Psychosom Med. 2017 Sep;79(7):735-741. PMID: 28640179