Feasibility and Usability of Salivary Alpha-Amylase to Measure Stress Among Individuals With Dementia

Salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) is a noninvasive biomarker of the sympathetic-adrenal-medullary system and reflects stress.The purpose of the current study was to determine the feasibility and meaningfulness of the use of sAA levels for assisted living memory care (ALMC) residents. Participants were 10 ALMC and eight independent/assisted living (I/AL) residents. Saliva samples were collected eight times for each participant over a 12-hour period using a tongue swab collection technique with immediate sAA point-of-care analysis. Linear mixed effect modeling and case study analysis were conducted. Levels of sAA varied over a 12-hour period for each participant and between participants. Group membership (i.e., ALMC and I/AL) explained 9.3% of the variation of sAA throughout the day, whereas interpersonal differences explained 56.3%. Feasibility of saliva collection technique and measurement of sAA among an ALMC population was supported. Participants serving as their own controls when testing effects of interventions on sAA levels is warranted.