Efficacy of a Multicomponent Intervention on Cognitive Function for the Caregiver-patient Dyad
With the aging of the population, an increase in neurocognitive diseases such as dementia is projected. Mild cognitive impairment is considered a precursor stage to dementia, with opportunities for intervention to prevent its progression. Additionally, these illnesses can harm the primary caregiver, who is often an unskilled family member. This is a randomized clinical trial in patients with mild cognitive impairment and their main caregivers. The intervention will be tested in the dyad for 12 weeks, twice a week with professional support and once a week with caregiver support, the latter will be intervened once a week for 12 weeks. The primary outcome will be the change in cognitive function and its domains. Secondary outcomes will evaluate favorable changes in quality of life in the patient-caregiver couple, frailty, physical capacity, independence, nutritional status, social support, and family caregiver burden. These measurements will be taken at baseline, 3, 6, and 9 months of follow-up. Furthermore, in a subsample of the study population, the taxonomic and metabolomic composition of the intestinal microbiota and the presence of the E4 allele of the APOE (apolipoprotein E) gene will be evaluated before and after the intervention.
• Age of 55 years or older.
• Diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment by a Psychiatrist/Neurologist supported by neuropsychological evaluation.
• Functionality for instrumental activities.
• Basic proficiency in reading and writing.
• Absence of untreated hearing impairment and/or uncorrected visual problems.
• Availability of a primary family caregiver (to be identified).
• IPAQ with low level of physical activity (pending cutoff point), PARQ and you Fit (pending review).
• Barthel Index equal to or greater than 80 points.
• Functional capacity for short-distance ambulation without permanent use of mechanical aids such as wheelchairs.
⁃ Individuals with a BMI greater than 18.5.
⁃ Gastrointestinal tract without surgical resections.
⁃ Tolerance to oral feeding.
⁃ Vaccination against COVID-19.
• Adults aged 18 years or older.
• Basic proficiency in reading and writing.
• Having a level of kinship (consanguineous or non-consanguineous).
• Vaccination against COVID-19.