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ABSTRACT: Background
The PRomoting Activity, Independence and Stability in Early Dementia (PrAISED) study delivered an exercise and functional activity programme to participants living with dementia. A Randomised Controlled Trial showed no measurable benefits in activities of daily living, physical activity or quality of life.Objective
To explore participants' responses to PrAISED and explain why an intervention that might be expected to have produced measurable health gains did not do so.Methods
A process evaluation using qualitative methods, comprising interviews and researcher notes.Setting
Data were collected in participants' homes or remotely by telephone or videoconferencing.Sample
A total of 88 interviews were conducted with 44 participants living with dementia (n = 32 intervention group; n = 12 control group) and 39 caregivers. A total of 69 interviews were conducted with 26 therapists.Results
Participants valued the intervention as proactively addressing health issues that were of concern to them, and as a source of social contact, interaction, information and advice. Facilitators to achieving positive outcomes included perceiving progress towards desired goals, positive expectations, therapists' skills and rapport with participants, and caregiver support. Barriers included: cognitive impairment, which prevented independent engagement and carry-over between sessions; chronic physical health problems and intercurrent acute illness and injury; 'tapering' (progressively infrequent supervision intended to help develop habits and independent activity); and the COVID-19 pandemic.Conclusions
Self-directed interventions may not be appropriate in the context of dementia, even in the mild stages of the condition. Dementia-specific factors affected outcomes including caregiver support, rapport with therapists, availability of supervision, motivational factors and the limitations of remote delivery. The effects of cognitive impairment, multimorbidity and frailty overwhelmed any positive impact of the intervention. Maintenance of functional ability is valued, but in the face of inevitable progression of disease, other less tangible outcomes become important, challenging how we frame 'health gain' and trial outcomes.
SUBMITTER: Di Lorito C
PROVIDER: S-EPMC10442073 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Aug
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Di Lorito Claudio C van der Wardt Veronika V Pollock Kristian K Howe Louise L Booth Vicky V Logan Pip P Gladman John J Masud Tahir T das Nair Roshan R Goldberg Sarah S Vedhara Kavita K O'Brien Rebecca R Adams Emma E Cowley Alison A Bosco Alessandro A Hancox Jennie J Burgon Clare C Bajwa Rupinder R Lock Juliette J Long Annabelle A Godfrey Maureen M Dunlop Marianne M Harwood Rowan H RH
Age and ageing 20230801 8
<h4>Background</h4>The PRomoting Activity, Independence and Stability in Early Dementia (PrAISED) study delivered an exercise and functional activity programme to participants living with dementia. A Randomised Controlled Trial showed no measurable benefits in activities of daily living, physical activity or quality of life.<h4>Objective</h4>To explore participants' responses to PrAISED and explain why an intervention that might be expected to have produced measurable health gains did not do so. ...[more]