Dementia Care Research and Psychosocial Factors

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Psychology
• Public Health

Background:

• Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is associated with cognitive and functional declines, negatively impacting mood, self-efficacy, and overall quality of life.
• Interventions targeting psychosocial factors are crucial for supporting individuals with MCI.
• The Cognitive Empowerment Program (CEP) is a multidomain lifestyle intervention designed to address these challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of the 12-month Cognitive Empowerment Program (CEP) on the wellbeing of individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
• To assess changes in psychosocial factors including depression, stress, empowerment, self-efficacy, and meaning and purpose.

Main Methods:

• 95 participants with MCI completed a 12-month multidomain program including physical, cognitive, and psychosocial interventions.
• Assessments included cognitive screening (MoCA), functional status rating (FAQ), and questionnaires for depression (CESD), stress (PSS), empowerment, self-efficacy, and meaning and purpose.
• Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and paired samples t-tests.

Main Results:

• Participants reported significant improvements in stress, empowerment, self-efficacy, and meaning and purpose post-program.
• No significant changes were observed in depression or functional status.
• A statistically significant, but not clinically meaningful, decline in cognitive status (MoCA) was noted.

Conclusions:

• The multidomain lifestyle and empowerment program (CEP) positively impacts wellbeing and quality of life in individuals with MCI.
• Further research is needed to identify factors influencing program benefits and potential synergistic effects with pharmacological interventions.