Functional ability is associated with higher adherence to behavioral interventions in mild cognitive impairment

Priscilla A.Amofa Sr, Brittany DeFeis, Liselotte De Wit, Deirdre O’Shea, Andrea Mejia, Melanie Chandler, Dona E.C. Locke, Julie Fields, Vaishali Phatak, Pamela M. Dean, Julia Crook, Glenn Smith

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: Behavioral interventions during early memory decline hold promise in delaying the development of dementia. In the present study, participants in a multimodal behavioral intervention study were assessed for post-intervention adherence and predictors of adherence. Methods: Participants (N = 272, mean age = 75.04 ± 7.54) diagnosed with amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (aMCI) were assigned to intervention groups receiving four out of five behavioral intervention components, including yoga, memory compensation training, computerized cognitive training, support groups, and/or wellness education. Length of the intervention was 10 days, 4 h per day, with post-intervention follow-up at 6, 12, and 18 months. Results: Two-hundred and thirty-seven participants completed the 6-month post-intervention follow-up measures, 228 participants completed the 12-month measures, and 218 participants completed the 18-month measures. Participants fully adhered to a mean of 2 out of the 4 taught intervention components. Eighty-nine percent of participants were at least partially adherent to one or more taught intervention components at 6-, 12-, and 18-month post-intervention follow-up. Physical activity was the most adhered to intervention while group support was the least adhered to intervention across all three follow-up time-points. Higher educational level, higher baseline depressive symptoms, higher baseline global cognitive functioning, and better baseline and concurrent functional abilities were associated post-intervention adherence. Conclusion: Changes in functional abilities are associated with disease progression among persons with aMCI. In the present study, individuals with aMCI who have higher education, higher depressive symptoms, and better baseline functioning abilities are more likely to adhere to behavioral intervention components over time. Post-intervention adherence also associates with concurrent daily function.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)937-955
Number of pages19
JournalClinical Neuropsychologist
Volume34
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 3 2020

Keywords

  • MCI
  • aging
  • cognitive intervention
  • multimodal behavioral intervention
  • post-intervention adherence

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology
  • Developmental and Educational Psychology
  • Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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