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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2007 Feb 28.
Published in final edited form as: J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2007;19(1):43–49. doi: 10.1176/appi.neuropsych.19.1.43

Impact of Frontal Systems Behavioral Functioning in Dementia on Caregiver Burden

Jennifer Duncan Davis 1, Geoffrey Tremont 1
PMCID: PMC1805636  NIHMSID: NIHMS8021  PMID: 17308226

Abstract

Behavioral problems in the dementia patient are one of the strongest predictors of caregiver burden, though the impact of specific types of behavior problems on burden is limited. This study investigated the contribution of frontal systems behavioral functioning (i.e., apathy, executive dysfunction, and disinhibition) on caregiver burden. Seventy-two family caregivers completed the Frontal Systems Behavior Scale and measures of mood, perceived burden, and patient ratings of functional impairment. Regression analyses indicated that frontal systems behavior problems were predictive of caregiver burden after controlling for dementia severity and caregiver depression. Analyses of subscale revealed that executive dysfunction and disinhibition were predictors of caregiver burden. Results argue for including strategies for managing frontal systems behavioral problems, particularly executive dysfunction and disinhibition, in dementia caregiver interventions.

Keywords: Dementia, Behavioral Disturbance, Frontal Systems, Caregiver, Burden

Introduction

Alzheimer's disease and related disorders are significant health problems in older adults, affecting approximately 30 to 40% of the population aged 85 or older {1, 2}. The majority of dementia patients are cared for at home by family members, including both spouses and adult children {3, 4}. Providing care for an individual with dementia is associated with significant emotional and physical health consequences. It is estimated that as many as 50% of dementia caregivers experience depression, anxiety, and feelings of burden, strain, and stress {5}. Dementia caregivers have higher rates of psychotropic medication use {6, 7, 8} and have a significantly higher mortality risk than non-caregiving controls {9}. Understanding the contributors to caregiver burden may inform psychosocial interventions aimed at reducing caregiver distress and improving caregivers' quality of life.

One of the most significant challenges faced by dementia caregivers is behavioral problems in the patient. Between 70 and 90% of patients with dementia experience problems such as depression, irritability, restlessness, agitation, and verbal and physical aggression at some point during their illness {10, 11}. These problems typically occur on a daily basis, and they can precipitate institutionalization {12, 13}. Unlike cognition, however, behavioral problems do not show a clear linear pattern of decline. Behavioral and personality changes are often more unpredictable and variable at different points of the illness, thereby causing significant distress to the caregiver. In fact, the frequency of behavior problems has been identified as one of the strongest predictors of caregiver distress {14, 15, 16}. Not surprisingly, other characteristics of the patient with dementia, such as length and severity of illness and the patient's awareness of his/her cognitive impairment are also predictive of emotional distress in caregivers {17, 18, 19}.

Although increases in problem behaviors among patients with dementia predicted caregiver mental and physical health in a longitudinal study, these relationships were mediated through stress appraisal {20}, and caregivers' reactions to memory and behavior problems was more strongly related to distress than the frequency of problems {21}. Taken together, it appears that caregiver burden may reflect a combination of objective stressors and the caregiver's perception and appraisal of the caregiving context. Caregivers' perceptions of behavioral problems may be particularly distressing because of their unpredictable nature and limited benefits of treatment.

This study investigated the contribution of frontal systems behavioral functioning (i.e., apathy, executive dysfunction, and disinhibition) on caregiver burden. A better understanding of the types of behaviors that affect caregivers' perceived burden and distress may inform psychosocial interventions designed to reduce caregiver distress.

Method

Participants

Participants were 72 caregivers of patients with mild (n=47) or moderate (n=25) dementia. Caregivers were recruited from the community and memory disorder clinics. All caregivers resided with the care recipient and were providing a minimum of 4 hours of daily care for at least 6 months. Caregivers reported an average of 18.24 hours of daily contact with the care recipient (SD = 7.19). Caregivers residing in a nursing home or assisted living facility were excluded from the study. The majority of caregivers were female (n = 56), spouses (n = 44), and Caucasian (n = 69). Caregivers had been providing care for an average of 39.68 months (SD = 35.57), and the average length of dementia diagnosis was 39.71 months (SD = 35.90). Caregivers' average age was 64.36 (SD = 11.66). Care recipients' average age was 77.18 (SD = 9.47).

The diagnosis of dementia was confirmed by the treating physician. The Clinical Dementia Rating scale (CDR) was administered with the caregiver over the telephone by a neuropsychologist (JD) and was used to measure dementia severity {22}. Only care recipients with a CDR rating of 1 or 2 (reflecting mild or moderate dementia) were included in the study. Clinical diagnoses by the treating physician were used to identify dementia subtypes. Based on these clinical classifications, the sample was compromised of the following dementia subtypes: probable Alzheimer's disease (n=42), vascular dementia (n=4), mixed dementia (n=4), frontotemporal dementia (n=5), diffuse lewy-body disease (n=4), Parkinson's dementia (n=3), hydrocephalus (n=2), progressive supranuclear palsy (n=1), dementia NOS (n=2), and unknown (n=5).

Instruments and Procedures

Caregivers completed self-report measures of their mood, perceived burden, and patient ratings of frontal systems behavioral problems as part of a baseline assessment of a large-scale, psychosocial intervention study. Assessments were completed at the caregivers' homes and administered by a trained research assistant. Informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to participating in the study.

Frontal Systems Behavior Scale (FrSBe) {23}. The FrSBe is a 46-item, behavior rating scale completed by the caregiver. It is designed to measure behavior associated with damage to the frontal lobes and frontal systems of the brain. The FrSBe targets three behavioral subtypes thought to be subserved by the frontal systems, including executive dysfunction (EXEC), disinhibition (DISINHIB), and apathy (APATHY). Each item is rated on a 5-point Likert scale. Caregivers rated behavior in these three domains prior to the onset of dementia (“before” scores) and currently (“after” scores). The FrSBe yields a Total score as well as scores for the three subscales. Raw scores were converted to age-and education corrected T-scores; T-scores were used in data analyses.

Activities of Daily Living Questionnaire (ADL) {24}. The caregiver completed this 14-item, self-report questionnaire. This instrument measures degree of independence in basic (e.g., dressing and grooming) and instrumental (e.g., medication and financial management) daily activities. Each item is scored on a 3-point scale, reflecting independence, the need for assistance, or dependence. Total scores range from 0 to 28, with higher scores reflecting greater functioning independence.

Burden Interview (BI) {35}. The BI is a 22-item, self report measure of perceived burden. The instrument measures caregivers' psychological health, emotional, well-being, social and family life, finances, and degree of control over one's life. Each question is scored on a 5-point Likert scale. Total scores range from 0 (low burden) to 88 (high burden).

Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) {26}. The GDS is a self-report instrument comprised of 30 yes/no questions. Higher scores reflect greater depressive symptoms.

Statistical Analyses

To investigate the relationship between frontal systems behavioral problems in the patient and perceived burden, hierarchical regression equations with four steps of predictor variables were fitted. Total score on the Lawton Brody Activities of Daily Living questionnaire was added in the first step to control for care recipients' severity of activity of daily living impairment. GDS total score was entered next to control for caregiver depression. To control for caregivers' response style on self-report measures and the patients' baseline personality and behavior, T scores for the overall FrSBe “before” ratings were added in the third step. Finally, T scores for the overall FrSBe “after” rating were added in the fourth step. Total scores on the BI served as the outcome variable. Descriptive statistics for predictor and outcome variables are presented in Table 1.

Table 1.

Descriptive Statistics for Predictor and Outcome Variables Used in Regression Equations

Variable Mean SD Range
GDS 7.87 6.34 0 - 26
BI 34.37 15.72 3 - 78
FrSBe Total (before) 54.14 14.52 34 - 102
Apathy (before) 53.63 12.65 35 - 88
Disinhibition (before) 53.47 15.27 35 - 96
Executive Dysfunction (before) 53.24 12.87 33 - 91
FrSBe Total (after) 91.78 20.48 56 - 152
Apathy (after) 92.65 18.54 51 - 147
Disinhibition (after) 70.28 20.04 39 - 126
Executive Dysfunction (after) 89.67 18.87 56 - 140
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Note. GDS = Geriatric Depression Scale; BI = Burden Interview; FrSBe = Frontal Systems Behavior Scale

Results

Table 2 summarizes the inter-correlations among measures. As predicted, perceived burden was moderately correlated with caregiver depression and frontal systems behavioral problems in the care recipient. Length of diagnosis, length of caregiving, and hours of daily care provided were unrelated to burden. There was a modest relationship between total ADLs and burden.

Table 2.

Inter-correlations among outcome measures

Measure BI Length of Diagnosis (mos) Length Care (mos) Daily Care by Caregiver (hrs) ADL FrSBe After Total FrSBe Before Total
GDS  .40**   .05   .05   .13  −.34** .27* .21
FrSBe Before Total  .28*   .05   .06  −.00   .08 .54** --
FrSBe “After” Total  .53**   .20   .21  −.02  −.31* --
ADL −.28*  −.34*  −.22  −.06 --
Daily Care by Caregiver (hrs) −.05  −.24  −.15 --
Length Care (mos)  .09   .52** --
Length of Diagnosis (mos)  .08 --
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Note. GDS = Geriatric Depression Scale; ADL= Activities of Daily Living; BI = Burden Interview; FrSBe = Frontal Systems Behavior Scale

**

p<.01

*

p<.05.

Hierarchical regression analysis with total scores on the BI as the dependent variable was used to determine relative contributions of dementia severity, caregiver depression, and frontal systems behavior problems on burden. We entered variables in the following order: ADL, GDS, total FrSBe “before” scores, and total FrSBe “after” scores.

Results of the hierarchical regression analyses are presented in Table 3. As expected, ADLs significantly accounted for variance in BI (8%, two-tailed p<.05). GDS added in the second step accounted for a significant increase in the variance of BI, R2 = .10, F(1,69) = 8.7, two-tailed p<.01. FrSBe “before” scores were significant, R2 = .05, F(1,68) = 4.11, two-tailed p<.05. FrSBe “after” scores, added in the fourth step, accounted for a significant increase in the variance in BI, R2 = .12, F(1,67) = 12.54, two-tailed p<.001 (see Table 3).

Table 3.

Hierarchical Regression Model Relating Burden to Dementia Severity, Caregiver Mood, and Frontal System Behavioral Problems

Hierarchical Step Predictor Variable Change Statistics
Adjusted R2   Δ R2   Δ F   Sig. Δ F
1 ADL .07 .08 5.93 .02
2 GDS .16 .10 8.71 .004
3 FrSBe Total “Before” .20 .05 4.41 .04
4 FrSBe Total “After” .31 .12 12.54 <.001
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Note. Total R2 = .61, F(4, 71) = 9.77, p<.001; CDR = Clinical Dementia Rating Scale; GDS = Geriatric Depression Scale; FrSBE = Frontal Systems Behavior Scale (T scores).

A second hierarchical regression analysis was conducted to further investigate the specific problem behaviors contributing to burden. ADL was entered into the first step, followed by GDS, FrSBe “before” subscale scores (APATHY, DISINHIB, and EXEC), and finally FrSBe “after” subscale scores. Again, FrSBe “after” scores accounted for a significant proportion of the variance in BI, R2 = .17, F(3,63) = 6.51, two-tailed p<.001, above and beyond the contribution of GDS, ADL, and FrSBe “before” scores. Examination of individual predictors in these models indicated that FrSBe EXEC (t = 2.09, p < .01, β = .36) and DISINHIB subscales were significantly predictive of BI. Results are summarized in Table 4.

Table 4.

Hierarchical Multiple Regression Analysis Relating Burden to FrSBe Subscales

Step and Predictor Variable β Δ R2
Step 1 .08*
  ADL  −.28
Step 2 .10*
  GDS  .34
Step 3 .11*
  FrSBe EXEC “before”  −.36
  FrSBe DISINHIB “before”  .38*
  FrSBe APATHY “before”  .27
Step 4 .17**
  FrSBe EXEC “after”  .46*
  FrSBe DISINHIB “after”  .23*
  FrSBe APATHY “after”  −.04
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Note. ADL = Activities of Daily Living; GDS = Geriatric Depression Scale; FrSBe = Frontal Systems Behavior Scale (T scores).

*

p<.05

**

p<.001

To investigate the impact of frontal systems behaviors on depression as a primary outcome, we ran an additional regression with GDS as the outcome variable and ADL and FrSBe as predictors. Total score on the Lawton Brody, followed by FrSBe “before” scores, followed by FrSBe “after” scores were entered. Results indicated that ADL significantly accounted for variance in GDS (12%, two-tailed p<.01). In the second step, FrSBe “before” scores accounted for a significant increase in variance in GDS, R2 = .05, F(1,69) = 4.84, two-tailed p=.03. However, FrSBe “after” scores, added in the third step, failed to account for a significant increase in the variance in GDS, R2 = .001, F(1,68) = .12, two-tailed p=.73.

Patients with a variety of dementia subtypes were enrolled in the study, with the majority of participants AD patients. To evaluate any group differences in both caregiver mood/burden and ratings of patient behaviors between these distinct dementia subtypes, participants were divided into groups of AD versus “other” dementia subtypes. Independent samples t-tests showed no differences in caregiver burden, caregiver depression, overall or subscale ratings of behavioral problems in the patient, disease severity (i.e., CDR sum of boxes), ADLs, length of caregiving, or duration of dementia.

Finally, spousal and adult child caregivers were compared on outcome measures to explore possible important distinctions related to caregiver relationship. Dementia severity, as measured by the CDR sum of boxes, was greater in the care recipients of the adult child, t(70)=−3.0, p<.05. This was also reflected in adult child caregivers reporting that the care recipient was functioning at a lower level for both basic and instrumental daily activities compared to the care recipients of spousal caregivers, t(69)=3.63, p<.05, and t(69)=2.23, p<.05, respectively. There were no other differences between spousal and adult child caregivers in ratings of caregiver depression, caregiver burden, or behavior problems in the patient.

Discussion

Results from this study suggest that frontal systems behavioral problems in the care recipient predict caregiver burden after controlling for dementia severity and caregiver depression. Closer analysis of the subscales revealed that behaviors associated with executive dysfunction and disinhibition were predictive of burden, whereas apathy in the patient was not predictive of caregiver burden. Interestingly, frontal systems behavioral problems failed to predict caregiver depression after controlling for dementia severity. There were no differences on outcome measures when comparing dementia subtypes. Spousal and adult child caregivers reported similar levels of perceived burden, depressive symptoms, and severity of behavioral problems, despite the fact that spousal caregivers reported more intact ADLs in the care recipient than adult child caregivers.

The results from this study are consistent with previous findings demonstrating that behavioral disturbance in the patient is one of the strongest contributors to caregiver burden {6, 15, 19, 27, 28, 29} and partially replicates Rymer and colleagues' {19} findings that frontal systems behavioral problems uniquely contribute to caregiver burden in AD above and beyond the contribution of disease severity and patient awareness of memory and behavioral problems. The current findings are an important extension of Rymer et al.'s findings in that we demonstrated that this relationship between caregiver burden and frontal systems dysfunction remains after accounting for the variability associated with caregiver depression. Furthermore, we demonstrated that this relationship persists in a sample reflecting multiple dementia subtypes and in a larger sample of caregivers with strict inclusion criteria in terms of quantity of daily care, place of residence, and relationship to the care recipient.

When considering the specific problem types, our findings suggest behaviors associated with executive dysfunction and disinhibition were predictive of burden, whereas apathy was less burdensome to caregivers. Executive functioning refers to a constellation of behaviors such as repeating actions, difficulty sequencing multi-step behaviors, failure to learn from previous mistakes, disorganization, lack of insight, poor problem-solving skills, rigidity, and poor planning. Although previous research suggests that objective measures of cognition are less reliably associated with burden, the current study demonstrated that executive dysfunction is a strong predictor of caregiver burden. There is a strong relationship between executive dysfunction and functional status in both community elderly {30, 31}) and dementia patients {32}. Therefore, one explanation for the current findings is that executive dysfunction impacts daily functioning to a greater extent than memory changes, thereby necessitating more care. Similarly, our findings suggest that disinhibition in the patient is quite distressing to caregivers. Taken together, these findings suggest that these active behaviors may be more difficult to manage and more burdensome to caregivers than the more passive behaviors associated with apathy. Behavioral interventions for patients aimed at increasing daily structure, creating routines, assisting with sequencing, and behavioral strategies to reinforce unwanted, inappropriate behaviors may be particularly useful in dementia caregiver interventions. Caregiver interventions for managing patient behavior may be further tailored by examining objective executive functioning in the patient with neuropsychological measures. Our group is currently investigating the impact of a family-based intervention that relies heavily on problem-solving techniques on caregiver burden.

It is important to emphasize that caregiver burden was related to caregiver depression in the current study. This is consistent with many other reports demonstrating significant overlap between depressive symptoms and feelings of burden and strain {4, 16, 33, 34}. We controlled for depression in the initial regression analyses to focus on the unique relationship between behavioral problems and burden after accounting for caregiver depression. In our follow-up analyses, we examined caregiver depression as a primary outcome to determine if the same factors that predict caregiver burden also predict caregiver depression. Results indicated that the severity of frontal systems behavioral problems in the patient do not predict caregiver depression. This discrepancy between the predictors of caregiver burden and depression is somewhat surprising and highlights the complexities of understanding mental health outcomes in dementia caregivers. Our data suggest that burden may encompass depression, as well as additional constructs, such as perception and attributions about the caregiving situation. These attributions may be critical in predicting mental health outcomes in dementia caregivers. Certainly, the relationship between depression and burden requires more investigation and is beyond the scope of our data. Recent data from Clyburn and colleagues (2000) suggest that burden may mediate caregiver mood {27}. As such, future studies should employ longitudinal, structural equation models to address whether behavioral problems directly impact caregiver depression by impacting burden. Our data do suggest, however, that burden and depression are not interchangeable constructs and may have distinct predictors.

We found an unexpected correlation between caregivers' reports of patients' premorbid behavior and current burden. The meaning of this relationship in our study is somewhat unclear. It may reflect method variance on the FrSBe or possibly a relationship between premorbid personality characteristics and burden (i.e., individuals with difficult premorbid personalities may be more likely to be difficult following onset of dementia). Our group recently demonstrated that poor premorbid relationship satisfaction is associated with greater caregiver burden in both spouse and adult child dementia caregivers. These findings were independent of length of relationship type (spousal vs. child), caregiving, disease severity, and care recipient daily functioning {35}.

The current study may have been limited by use of a self-report questionnaire of depressive symptoms, rather than a clinician-rated interview and lack of objective neuropsychological measures of executive dysfunction. In addition, several authors have demonstrated important differences between male and female caregivers {36, 37}, though this relationship remains unclear. We were unable to address these differences due to the overrepresentation of women in our sample. However, future research may benefit from incorporating objective neuropsychological testing and utilizing more comprehensive measures of depressive symptomatology that would allow for more detailed analyses of important caregiver demographic factors and dementia subtype differences on caregiver depression and burden. Finally, the study population may not be representative of all caregivers of patients with mild to moderate dementia as they were recruited into the study to participate in a psychosocial intervention study. As such, it is difficult to determine if the level of burden and behavior problems reported in our sample is similar to a community-based sample of dementia caregivers.

Overall, findings from the present study demonstrate the unique contribution of caregivers' perceptions of frontal systems behavioral dysfunction, particularly executive dysfunction and disinhibition, on caregiver burden. Results support caregiver interventions that address both caregiver mood and specific types of behavioral disturbance in the patient. For example, problem-solving strategies to compensate for executive dysfunction and behavioral interventions to address inappropriate behaviors in the patient may be beneficial.

Footnotes

This work was supported by grant MH62561 from the National Institute of Mental Health. The authors gratefully acknowledge Brian R. Ott, M.D. of the Alzheimer's Disease and Memory Disorder Center at the Memorial Hospital and Stephen Salloway, M.D. from the Memory Disorders Program at Butler Hospital for referring caregivers of individuals diagnosed with dementia to participate in this study.

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