Does Namaste Care improve wellbeing?
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigating the potential to validate the reported observable outcomes of Namaste Care by measuring biological, physiological and behavioural responses to the intervention; a mixed methods study
IRAS ID
326881
Contact name
Nicola Kendall
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Durham University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 7 months, 28 days
Research summary
Namaste Care is reported to improve wellbeing. These reports are based on observations made by caregivers, because the people receiving Namaste Care most often are unable to self report due to the advanced stage of their dementia.
This study aims to provide a way for recipients of Namaste Care to tell us how they feel directly by measuring their physical responses to a Namaste Care session.
Physical responses can be measured by asking the recipient to wear a smartwatch during the Namaste Care session to measure their heart rate. The recipient can also provide a urine sample before and after the session to measure changes in biomarkers linked to wellbeing.
Participants will be healthy individual, those with mild to moderate dementia and those with advanced dementia. The Namaste caregiver can also provide the same physical data, as they report feeling better themselves by the end of a session. The family carer will be offered the opportunity to provide samples, as they report feeling a sense of respite from their caring duties during sessions within the home.REC name
North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 1 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/NE/0091
Date of REC Opinion
7 Jun 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion