Development and preliminary validation of the Meaningful and Enjoyable Activities Scale (MEAS) in mild dementia

Engaging in meaningful activity is an important contributor to well-being in late life. This study aimed to develop a new measure of meaningful and enjoyable activities in people living with mild dementia.

The study consisted of four phases: (a) a review of measures of meaningful activity in older people; (b) interviews with people with dementia and their carers (n = 32), (c) expert opinion; and (d) feasibility testing in a pilot randomised controlled trial (n = 63).

The development process resulted in a 20-item questionnaire. The Meaningful and Enjoyable Activities Scale (MEAS) evidenced appropriate levels of internal consistency (α = .79). Higher scores correlated with higher functional independence (r = -.605, P < .001), patient (r = .330, P = .010) and carer-rated patient quality of life (r = .505, P < .001). Multiple regression analyses showed that functional independence made a significant independent contribution in predicting higher levels of meaningful activity (F[7,45] = 6.75, P < .001, R² = .512; β = -.444, P = .001). Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that a revised three-factor 9-item model provided good fit for the data (X² = 22.74, P = .54, GFI = 0.93, RMSE = 0.00), with leisure-time physical activity, social engagement and mentally stimulating activities as the key dimensions.

Our study provides support for the construct of meaningful activity in people with mild dementia. Although we find preliminary evidence that the MEAS has adequate psychometric properties, future large scale studies are required to test its validity further and responsiveness to change.