SENSE-Cog Asia: a feasibility study of a hearing intervention to improve outcomes in people with dementia

Sheikh, Saima, Tofique, Sehrish, Zehra, Nosheen, Amjad, Rabia, Rasheed, Maham, Usman, Maria, Lal, Shanker, Hooper, Emma ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4059-6035 , Miah, Jahanara, Husain, Nusrat, Jafri, Hussain, Chaudhry, Nasim and Leroi, Iracema (2021) SENSE-Cog Asia: a feasibility study of a hearing intervention to improve outcomes in people with dementia. Frontiers in Neurology, 12 . p. 654143.

Preview

PDF - Published Version Available under License CC BY Download (744kB) | Preview

Abstract

Background: There are few evidence-based non-pharmacological interventions adapted for people with dementia (PwD) in lower- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Thus, there is value in culturally adapting existing interventions from other settings. One such intervention for PwD involves hearing rehabilitation, which may improve dementia-related outcomes.

Objective: To culturally adapt and evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a multi-faceted hearing support intervention to enhance quality of life in PwD for a LMIC setting, Pakistan.

Design: This was a study in three phases: (1) training and capacity building to deliver the study, including Patient and Public Involvement (PPI); (2) cultural adaptation of the intervention; and (3) delivery of a single-group feasibility study with a pre-test post-test design.

Setting: Home-based intervention, in two cities of Pakistan.

Participants: Adults aged ≥ 60 with mild-moderate dementia and uncorrected or partially corrected hearing impairment, and their study partners (n = 14).

Intervention: An adapted hearing support intervention (HSI) comprising a full assessment of hearing function, fitting of hearing aids, and home-based support from a “hearing support practitioner.”

Outcomes: Ratings of the feasibility of the study procedures, and acceptability/tolerability of the adapted intervention were ascertained through questionnaires, participant diaries, therapist logbooks and semi-structured interviews. A signal of effectiveness of the intervention was also explored using a battery of dementia-related outcome measures.

Results: Following cultural adaptation and capacity building for study conduct and delivery, we successfully implemented all intervention components in most participants, which were well-received and enacted by participant dyads. Acceptability (i.e., understanding, motivation, sense of achievement) and tolerability (i.e., effort, fatigue) ratings and safety of the intervention were within a priori target ranges. Recruitment and retention targets required improvement, due to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, as well as the lack of a clear clinical diagnostic pathway for dementia in both sites. Areas for future modification were clearly identified, including: the assessment/delivery logistics circuit; procedures for arranging visits; communication among referring clinicians and the study team.

Conclusion: This is the first study in a LMIC of sensory enhancement to improve dementia outcomes. Positive feasibility, acceptability and tolerability findings suggest that a full-scale effectiveness trial, with certain modifications is warranted.

Item Type:	Article
Journal / Publication Title:	Frontiers in Neurology
Publisher:	Frontiers Media
ISSN:	1664-2295
Departments:	Institute of Health > Rehabilitation and Sport Science
Additional Information:	This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY).
Depositing User:	Insight Administrator
SWORD Depositor:	Insight Administrator
Date Deposited:	03 Sep 2021 10:48
Last Modified:	15 Feb 2024 12:14
URI:	https://insight.cumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/6152

Downloads