A pilot randomised controlled trial to compare changes in quality of life for participants with early diagnosis dementia who attend a "Living Well with Dementia" group compared to waiting-list control

Marshall, Ann; Spreadbury, John; Cheston, Richard; Coleman, Peter; Ballinger, Claire; Mullee, Mark; Pritchard, Jane; Russell, Cynthia; Bartlett, Elizabeth

Abstract

Objective. The aim of this paper is to report a pilot study in which participants who had recently received a diagnosis of dementia were randomised to either a 10 week group intervention or to a waiting list control.

Method. Memory Clinic staff with limited previous experience of group therapy were trained to lead a ten week group therapy intervention called “Living Well with Dementia”. Fifty-eight participants, all of whom had received a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, Vascular or Lewy body dementia within the previous 18 months, were randomised to receive either the intervention or treatment as usual (waiting list control). Data collection occurred at baseline, within two weeks of the intervention finishing and at 10 week follow-up.

Results. The study met its recruitment targets, with a relatively low attrition rate for the intervention arm. The acceptability of the intervention and research methods were examined qualitatively and are reported on elsewhere. For the primary outcome measure of quality of life (Qol-AD) and secondary outcome, self-esteem there was some evidence of improvement in the intervention group compared to the control group. There was, also, evidence of a reduction in cognitive functioning in the treatment group compared to the control. Such reported differences should be treated with caution because they are obtained from a pilot and not a definitive study

Conclusions. This pilot study succeeded in collect data to inform a future definitive cost effectiveness clinical trial of Living Well with Dementia Group Therapy.

Citation

Marshall, A., Spreadbury, J., Cheston, R., Coleman, P., Ballinger, C., Mullee, M., …Bartlett, E. (2015). A pilot randomised controlled trial to compare changes in quality of life for participants with early diagnosis dementia who attend a "Living Well with Dementia" group compared to waiting-list control. Aging and Mental Health, 19(6), 526-535. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2014.954527

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2015
• Journal: Aging and Mental Health
• Print ISSN: 1360-7863
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis (Routledge)
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 19
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 526-535
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2014.954527
• Keywords: dementia, quality of life, early diagnosis, living with dementia
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/843189
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2014.954527
• Additional Information: Additional Information : This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Aging & Mental Health on 8 September 2014, available online: http://wwww.tandfonline.com/10.1080/13607863.2014.954527