The Feasibility and Acceptability of In-Home Saliva Collection for Stress in Persons With Dementia and Their Family Caregivers

Background Although increasing attention is being paid to cortisol and the sulfated form of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA-S) as stress biomarkers, the feasibility of saliva collection of such biomarkers has yet to be investigated among dementia care dyads (persons with dementia [PWD] and family caregivers) living in a home setting. We explored the feasibility and acceptability of in-home saliva collection for cortisol and DHEA-S as stress biomarkers among dementia care dyads. Methods Dementia care dyads were recruited from a memory evaluation center. After pre-evaluation and education sessions, participants collected their saliva 3 times a day, 5 days a week, for 8 consecutive weeks. We calculated frequency counts and percentages to assess enrollment rate, retention rate, the completion rate of saliva collection, and valid samples of cortisol and DHEA-S. Independent samples t-tests were performed to compare mean differences in the total number of collected samples and valid samples between PWD and family caregivers at each time point of saliva collection. Results A total of 46 dyads were referred to this study; 32 dyads (69.6%) agreed to participate, and 26 started collecting saliva. Twenty-four dyads (75%) completed 8 weeks of saliva collection. There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) in the number of collected samples and valid samples between PWD and caregiver participants. Conclusion This study supports the feasibility of in-home saliva collection for stress biomarker assay and the need for further investigation into self-administered collection of stress biomarkers with a particular focus on dementia care dyads living at home.