The Experience of Shiatsu for care-partners of persons living with dementia: A qualitative study
By Leisa Bellmore - Online MSc - Advanced Complementary Medicine
Abstract
Background
Dementia is a progressive neurological condition affecting 47 million people worldwide. It greatly impacts quality of life for those diagnosed and their care-partners and impacts the relationship between the two. Non-pharmacological approaches to enhance quality of life and reinforce connection and relationships are needed. Shiatsu may enhance care-partners’ well-being and provide a meaningful way for them to interact with their partners living with dementia.
Aims
The aims of this study were to explore care-partners’ experience of self-shiatsu and of providing shiatsu for their partner living with dementia and to explore care-partners’ perceptions of the impact of shiatsu on the quality of the relationship with their partner. Methodology In this qualitative study care-partners were taught self-shiatsu for stress management and how to give their partner a short, simplified shiatsu. Semi-structured interviews were conducted at two-and six-weeks after learning shiatsu to capture the experiences of care-partners and to explore their ongoing use of shiatsu.
Findings
Four care-partners completed the study. A broad range of experiences with shiatsu emerged which fell under four overarching themes: Enhanced Awareness; Integrating Shiatsu into the Relationship; Barriers and Facilitators; and Potential and Possibility. For two, self-shiatsu was beneficial. Only one found using shiatsu with their partner was a positive experience, a pleasant way to interact and connect. None of the participants found that using shiatsu with their partner impacted the quality of their relationship.
Conclusion
The findings from this study are inconclusive. Self-shiatsu may be a beneficial self-management strategy for some care-partners, but not for others. Shiatsu for persons living with dementia may not fit into the daily routines or lifestyles of many care-partners. For some, however, it may provide a way to connect.
