Abstract
BACKGROUND: Family caregiving for dementia patients is a challenging task, with profound effects on caregivers' physical and mental well-being. The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of Kolb's experiential learning theory on the caregiving burden and psychological status of caregivers for dementia patients. METHODS: This study enrolled 110 caregivers of nursing dementia patients. These caregivers were divided into two groups: a control group (n = 55) and an intervention group (n = 55). The control group received routine care, while the intervention group received nursing based on Kolb's experiential learning theory in addition to routine care. Changes in caregiving burden and psychological status were compared between the two groups before and after the intervention. RESULT: The results showed that after the intervention, the intervention group's caregivers had significantly lower scores on the caregiver burden inventory dimensions and total score compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Additionally, the intervention group's self-assessment scores on the self-rating anxiety scale and self-rating depression scale were also lower than those of the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Kolb's experiential learning theory has a positive impact on alleviating the caregiving burden and reducing anxiety and depression among family caregivers of dementia patients.