Preventing disability in older adults with mild cognitive impairment: A Strategy Training intervention study

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Cognitive Science
• Clinical Trials

Background:

• Non-pharmacological interventions for Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) show varied outcomes.
• Few interventions target preclinical disability in older adults with MCI.
• Preventing disability is crucial for maintaining independence and quality of life.

Purpose of the Study:

• To discuss the design, challenges, and solutions of a trial focused on disability prevention in older adults with MCI.
• To guide future clinical trials aiming to prevent disability onset in at-risk older adults.
• To compare Strategy Training with enhanced-usual care in individuals with MCI.

Main Methods:

• A trial comparing Strategy Training to enhanced-usual care was conducted.
• Direct-to-consumer recruitment yielded 79.7% of potential participants.
• A three-step screening process (phone, initial in-person, full in-person) was refined.

Main Results:

• The refined screening process facilitated high completion rates for neuropsychological testing and MCI adjudication.
• Direct-to-consumer recruitment proved effective for participant enrollment.
• The study design and recruitment strategies offer insights for future disability prevention trials.

Conclusions:

• Conducting disability prevention trials in individuals without overt disability is an innovative approach.
• Refined recruitment and screening are vital for successful trials in this population.
• Future trials should consider longer follow-up periods beyond one year to assess long-term effects on disability progression.