Benefits of Strength Training in Informal Caregivers of Patients With Alzheimer's Disease

Sponsor
University of Salamanca
Study ID
NCT07388186
Status
Not Yet Recruiting

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Conditions

  • Anxiety
  • Caregiver Burden
  • Frailty

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
18 Years - N/A
Healthy Volunteers
Accepted

Interventions

  • Progressive Muscle Relaxation — BEHAVIORAL
    Progressive muscle relaxation will be delivered in weekly supervised sessions over a 10-week period. Each session will last approximately 45 minutes and will include diaphragmatic breathing, systematic muscle contraction and relaxation following Jacobson's technique, controlled breathing exercises, and a brief cooldown period. The intervention will be administered by a trained physiotherapist in a group setting.
  • Functional Strength Training — BEHAVIORAL
    Functional strength training will be delivered in weekly supervised sessions over a 10-week period. Sessions will last approximately 45 minutes and will focus on improving upper limb, lower limb, and core muscle strength using progressive resistance exercises. Training intensity will be gradually increased according to participant tolerance and performance. All sessions will be supervised by a trained physiotherapist.

Study Details

Informal caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease experience high physical and psychological burden, increasing their risk of frailty, anxiety, and caregiver burnout. This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a combined strength training and progressive muscle relaxation program compared with progressive muscle relaxation alone. The intervention will last 10 weeks, with assessments conducted at baseline, post-intervention, and at a 3-month follow-up. Primary outcomes include frailty, anxiety, and caregiver burden.

Key Dates

First listed
Feb 4, 2026
Start date
Mar 31, 2026
Status verified
Jan 2026
Primary completion
Jul 31, 2026
Completion
Sep 30, 2026

Study Design

Enrollment
62 participants (estimated)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT

Arms

  • Active Comparator: Progressive Muscle Relaxation
    Participants in this arm will receive one weekly session of progressive muscle relaxation over a 10-week period. Each session will last approximately 45 minutes and will include diaphragmatic breathing, Jacobson's progressive muscle relaxation technique, controlled breathing exercises, and a brief cooldown period. Sessions will be supervised by a trained physiotherapist.
  • Experimental: Strength Training plus Progressive Muscle Relaxation
    Participants in this arm will receive a combined intervention consisting of one weekly session of progressive muscle relaxation and one weekly session of functional strength training over a 10-week period. Strength training sessions will focus on upper limb, lower limb, and core muscle groups using progressive resistance. Each session will last approximately 45 minutes and will be supervised by a trained physiotherapist.

Primary Outcome Measure

Frailty [ Time Frame: Baseline, 3-month follow-up and immediately after completion of the intervention (at 10 weeks). ]

Central Contacts

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