This study seeks to translate a proven cognitive treatment for Spanish-speaking Hispanics with subjective memory/cognitive complaints or a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and their care partners. MCI causes cognitive changes that are noticed by the individual or others. These changes do not significantly interfere with independence. MCI also increases the risk of developing Alzheimer's or another dementia, particularly in Hispanics/Latinos. There is no medication that improves cognition or delays MCI. However, providing cognitive treatment can alleviate the effects of MCI. Only a few cognitive interventions have been proven effective in the U.S., but none has been adapted to the Spanish-speaking Hispanic community. Our proposed cognitive treatment uses effective strategies (e.g., calendar and notetaking) to compensate for memory loss. The investigators will first follow international guidelines to ensure proper translation of our treatment into Spanish. Then, the investigators will pilot test our translated intervention in 20 Spanish-speaking Hispanic participants with subjective memory/cognitive complaints or a diagnosis of MCI and their care partners (40 participants total). The investigators will also assess the degree to which participants follow medical advice; their beliefs in their ability to succeed in and do daily activities, including managing medications; their feelings and potential burden associated with caregiving before and after the treatment as well as 8 weeks later. Results will allow the investigators to determine whether our treatment was effective and to calculate the number of participants required for larger studies. Overall, the study represents an important step to respond to the needs of the Hispanic community.
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) constitutes a high-risk state for conversion to dementia, making the search for interventions an urgent priority. In the absence of medications or dietary agents that improve cognition or delay MCI progression, offering nonpharmacological care approaches is currently considered good practice. Despite that, there are only a few evidence-based cognitive interventions for individuals with MCI available in the U.S. and, to the best of our knowledge, none is culturally sensitive to Hispanics; a group more prone to Alzheimer's disease or other dementias compared to non-Hispanic Whites. The overall goal and primary aim of this pilot project is to translate and begin to culturally adapt an evidence-based compensatory cognitive rehabilitation intervention, the Memory Support System (MSS), for Spanish-speaking Hispanics with subjective memory/cognitive complaints or a diagnosis of MCI and their care partners residing in the U.S. The MSS is a calendar/notetaking intervention proven effective in helping those with MCI compensate for memory loss in day-to-day function. Translation of the MSS and other materials will follow international guidelines. The Spanish MSS will be piloted in a sample of 20 participants in a within-subject, pre- and post-intervention assessment design. Outcome measures of program adherence, functional memory/general ability, self-efficacy, mood, anxiety, medication management skills, quality of life, and caregiver burden will be administered before and after the intervention, as well as at 8-week post-intervention to estimate effect size for power analyses for use in a future between-subject random assignment multicenter clinical trial. Overall, this pilot project represents an important step to significantly contribute to the development and promotion of clinical neuropsychological interventions responsive to the needs of the Hispanic community.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
40
A calendar/notetaking system focused on training a person with MCI to use a specific external memory compensatory strategy to complete relevant IADLs independently.
Mayo Clinic
Jacksonville, Florida, United States
Change from Baseline Memory Support System (MSS) adherence at 2 weeks after intervention start and at 2-month follow-up
To assess MSS adherence (i.e., how well a participant with subjective memory/cognitive complaints or a diagnosis of MCI utilizes all the MSS sections), the therapist will rate each participant based upon four criteria (≥7/10 scores considered compliant) for 2 days randomly selected.
Time frame: 2 weeks after intervention start and 2-month follow-up
Change from Baseline Memory functional ability at 2 weeks after intervention start and at 2-month follow-up
To assess memory functional ability, care partners will complete a modified version of the Memory Subscale of the Everyday Cognition (E-Cog) at all assessment points. The E-Cog scores range from 8 to 32, where lower scores represent better memory functional ability.
Time frame: 2 weeks after intervention start and 2-month follow-up
Change from Baseline Self-efficacy at 2 weeks after intervention start and at 2-month follow-up
To assess self-efficacy, participants with subjective memory/cognitive complaints or a diagnosis of MCI will complete a modified version of specific subscales the Self-Efficacy in Memory scale (SEM) (Do Chores, Social/Recreational Activities, and Manage Disease in General) of the Chronic Disease Self-Efficacy Scales at all assessment points. The SEM scores range from 9 to 90, where higher scores represent better self-efficacy.
Time frame: 2 weeks after intervention start and 2-month follow-up
Change from Baseline Mood at 2 weeks after intervention start and at 2-month follow-up
To assess mood, participants with subjective memory/cognitive complaints or a diagnosis of MCI and care partners will complete the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) at all assessment points. The CES-D scores range from 0-60, where higher scores represent more symptoms of depression.
Time frame: 2 weeks after intervention start and 2-month follow-up
Change from Baseline Anxiety at 2 weeks after intervention start and at 2-month follow-up
To assess anxiety, participants with subjective memory/cognitive complaints or a diagnosis of MCI and care partners will complete the Anxiety Inventory Form from the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory by the Resources for Enhancing Alzheimer's Caregiver Health project (REACH) at all assessment points. The REACH scores range from 10-40, where higher scores represent more symptoms of anxiety.
Time frame: 2 weeks after intervention start and 2-month follow-up
Change from Baseline Quality of Life at 2 weeks after intervention start and at 2-month follow-up
To assess quality of life, participants with subjective memory/cognitive complaints or a diagnosis of MCI and care partners will complete the Quality of Life in Alzheimer's Disease measure (QoL-AD) at all assessment points. The QoL-AD scores range from 13-52, where higher scores represent better quality of life.
Time frame: 2 weeks after intervention start and 2-month follow-up
Change from Baseline General Functional Ability at 2 weeks after intervention start and at 2-month follow-up
To assess general functional ability, care partners will complete the Functional Assessment Scale (FAS)
Time frame: 2 weeks after intervention start and 2-month follow-up
Change from Baseline Caregiver Burden at 2 weeks after intervention start and at 2-month follow-up
To assess caregiver burden, care partners will complete the Caregiver Burden Interview-Short Form (CBI-SF) at all assessment points. The CBI-SF scores range from 0-48, where higher scores represent more care giver burden.
Time frame: 2 weeks after intervention start and 2-month follow-up
Change from Baseline Medication Management Skills at 2 weeks after intervention start and at 2-month follow-up
To assess medication management skills, participants with subjective memory/cognitive complaints or a diagnosis of MCI will complete the Pillbox Test (PT) at all assessment points (≥5 errors considered failure).
Time frame: 2 weeks after intervention start and 2-month follow-up
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