Efficacy of a Multicomponent Intervention on Cognitive Function for the Caregiver-patient Dyad
Overview
- Phase
- N/A
- Intervention
- Not specified
- Conditions
- Mild Cognitive Impairment
- Sponsor
- Universidad de Santander
- Enrollment
- 102
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Change in visual attention, thinking speed, and visuospatial ability
- Status
- Recruiting
- Last Updated
- last year
Overview
Brief Summary
With the aging of the population, an increase in neurocognitive diseases such as dementia is projected. Mild cognitive impairment is considered a precursor stage to dementia, with opportunities for intervention to prevent its progression. Additionally, these illnesses can harm the primary caregiver, who is often an unskilled family member. This is a randomized clinical trial in patients with mild cognitive impairment and their main caregivers.
The intervention will be tested in the dyad for 12 weeks, twice a week with professional support and once a week with caregiver support, the latter will be intervened once a week for 12 weeks. The primary outcome will be the change in cognitive function and its domains. Secondary outcomes will evaluate favorable changes in quality of life in the patient-caregiver couple, frailty, physical capacity, independence, nutritional status, social support, and family caregiver burden. These measurements will be taken at baseline, 3, 6, and 9 months of follow-up. Furthermore, in a subsample of the study population, the taxonomic and metabolomic composition of the intestinal microbiota and the presence of the E4 allele of the APOE (apolipoprotein E) gene will be evaluated before and after the intervention.
Detailed Description
Introduction: The aging of the population has led to an increase in the number of individuals with cognitive impairment and neurodegenerative diseases, resulting in greater disability and dependence among older adults worldwide. The prevalence of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is estimated to be approximately 16%, varying between 2% and 31%. Multiple interventions have been tested to maintain or improve cognitive function in older adults, including cognitive-motor interventions, yoga, psychosocial and lifestyle interventions, as well as arts-based interventions (dance, theater, music, or visual arts). However, the literature indicates that multicomponent interventions (MCI), also known as multimodal or multidomain, are more effective compared to single-domain interventions in improving cognitive function in older adults. General Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a multicomponent intervention focusing on cognitive function for the caregiver-patient dyad Methods: Pilot randomized clinical trial, with 1:1 allocation in 102 patients with mild cognitive impairment and their primary caregivers/family members. Results: The goal is to generate evidence on the efficacy and applicability of these interventions to create a care guide for the caregiver-patient dyad with cognitive impairment, tailored to the Colombian population, with the involvement of different institutions such as universities and healthcare providers.
Investigators
Diana Carolina Tiga, Phd
Epidemiology Ph.D
Universidad de Santander
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- Not provided
Exclusion Criteria
- Not provided
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Change in visual attention, thinking speed, and visuospatial ability
Time Frame: 3 months after the intervention, with follow-up at 6 and 9 months
The change in visual attention, thinking speed, and visuospatial ability will be evaluated using the Trail Making Test (TMT-Form A, TMT-Form B). Interpreting the results involves comparing completion times of these forms with normative data corresponding to the same age group. For context, the mean completion times for TMT-A and TMT-B in the population aged 56 to 75 years are as follows: 75.8 seconds (with a standard deviation of 22.8 seconds) for TMT-A and 178 seconds (with a standard deviation of 80.7 seconds) for TMT-B.
Change in executive functioning and selective attention
Time Frame: 3 months after the intervention, with follow-up at 6 and 9 months
The Color and Word Test assesses executive functioning and selective attention, measuring processing speed and the ability to focus on relevant stimuli while discarding distractors. It also examines cognitive control, inhibition and resistance to cognitive interference. The mean scores for 'Word', 'Color', 'Word-Color' and 'Interference' are 77.7 (standard deviation 21.8), 55.5 (standard deviation 16.6), 30.8 (standard deviation 11.6) and -1.4 (standard deviation 9.1) respectively, reflecting the cognitive abilities of the tested group.
Change in perceptual organization and visual memory
Time Frame: 3 months after the intervention, with follow-up at 6 and 9 months
The change in perceptual organization and visual memory will be assessed through the Rey Complex Figure Test. This test is divided into 18 elements, each of which scores 2 if the execution is correct; if there is a mistake in the placement or tracing of the element, 1 point is awarded, and if both the placement and tracing are incorrect (or the element is absent), 0 points are awarded. Thus, the total possible score varies between 0 and 36. Two sets of scores are obtained: one for immediate copy and another for long-term recall. In the age group of 56 to 76 years, the mean score for the copying task is 27.9 with a standard deviation of 7.4, while for long-term memory, the mean is 13.7, also with a standard deviation of 7.4
Change in verbal fluency and executive functions
Time Frame: 3 months after the intervention, with follow-up at 6 and 9 months
Change in verbal fluency and executive functions will be assessed through the Semantic and Phonological Verbal Fluency Test. This test evaluates the ability to generate words following specific semantic or phonological criteria. Scores are assigned based on semantic category and the initial letter of words. For the letter "F," the mean is 9.9 with a standard deviation of 4.3; for "A," the mean is 10.1 with a standard deviation of 4.4; and for "S," the mean is 9.6 with a standard deviation of 4.4. In semantic categories, "ANIMALS" has a mean of 15.6 with a standard deviation of 4.5, while "FRUITS" has a mean of 13 with a standard deviation of 3.7. These scores reflect the quantity and variety of words individuals can produce and are indicative of their linguistic ability and executive capacity
change in verbal comprehension
Time Frame: 3 months after the intervention, with follow-up at 6 and 9 months
TThe Token Test will be used to assess verbal comprehension. This test specifically measures skills related to listening comprehension and the ability to follow instructions. As for the cut-off points for the different ages, they are set as follows: 50 to 56 years (31.5-32), 57 to 59 years (32-32.5), 60 to 68 years (32-32.5), 69 to 71 years (31-31.5), 72 to 74 years (31.5-32.5).
Change in global cognition
Time Frame: 3 months after the intervention, with follow-up at 6 and 9 months
It will be evaluated by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). The scale evaluates 6 domains: visuospatial ability, executive function, memory, attention/concentration, language, and orientation. It has a scoring scale from 0 to 30, with the following interpretation: 26 or more: No cognitive impairment. 20 to 23: Mild Cognitive Impairment. Score less than 10: major neurocognitive disorder
Change in verbal learning and memory
Time Frame: 3 months after the intervention, with follow-up at 6 and 9 months
The change in verbal learning and memory will be assessed using the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test (HVLT). It consists of 12 words grouped into three semantic categories. In the population aged between 56 and 76 years, the mean total recall is 18.6 with a standard deviation of 4.6, while for delayed recall, the mean is 6.1 with a standard deviation of 2.4
Change in processing speed and visual attention
Time Frame: 3 months after the intervention, with follow-up at 6 and 9 months
The change in processing speed and visual attention will be evaluated using the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT). This test assesses two domains: processing speed and sustained attention. In the population aged between 56 and 76 years, the mean score is 27 (12.1)
Change WAIS III Digit Retention
Time Frame: 3 months after the intervention, with follow-up at 6 and 9 months
It is designed to evaluate attention and working memory. It consists of a total of 8 items distributed in two trials. This task is divided into two parts: one that requires repeating the numbers in the order in which they are presented (direct order) and another in the reverse order. For individuals between 50 and 71 years of age, the cut-off points for correct retention are 4 in the direct order and 3 in the reverse order. These thresholds indicate the minimum number of digits that the individual must remember correctly to be considered within a normal range of functioning in each task modality
Change in comprehension and expression levels
Time Frame: 3 months after the intervention, with follow-up at 6 and 9 months
The change in the levels of verbal naming and expression will be assessed from the BOSTON Naming Test. In the age group 56 to 76 years, the mean score for the copying task is 42.8 with a standard deviation of 8
Secondary Outcomes
- Change in mobility and balance(3 months after the intervention, with follow-up at 6 and 9 months)
- Change in patient independence(3 months after the intervention, with follow-up at 6 and 9 months)
- Change in physical frailty(3 months after the intervention, with follow-up at 6 and 9 months)
- Change in Social Support for Family Caregiver(3 months after the intervention, with follow-up at 6 and 9 months)
- Changes in functional capacity and physical condition(3 months after the intervention, with follow-up at 6 and 9 months)
- Change in the composition of the microbiome(3 months after the intervention)
- Change in nutritional status(3 months after the intervention, with follow-up at 6 and 9 months)
- Change in family caregiver overload(3 months after the intervention, with follow-up at 6 and 9 months)
- Change in quality of life in the dyad(3 months after the intervention, with follow-up at 6 and 9 months)