Changes in everyday function in individuals with psychometrically defined mild cognitive impairment in the Advanced Cognitive Training for Independent and Vital Elderly Study.
OBJECTIVE
To examine trajectories of change in everyday function for individuals with cognitive deficits suggestive of mild cognitive impairment (MCI).


METHODS
Using data from the longitudinal, multisite Advanced Cognitive Training for Independent and Vital Elderly Study allowed for post hoc classification of MCI status at baseline using psychometric definitions for amnestic MCI, nonamnestic MCI, multidomain MCI, and no MCI.


METHODS
Six U.S. cities.


METHODS
Two thousand eight hundred thirty-two volunteers (mean age 74; 26% African American) living independently, recruited from senior housing, community centers, hospitals, and clinics.


METHODS
Mixed-effect models examined changes in self-reported activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) from the Minimum Data Set Home Care Interview in 2,358 participants over a 3-year period.


RESULTS
In models for IADL performance, IADL difficulty, and a daily functioning composite, there was a significant time by MCI classification interaction for each MCI subtype, indicating that all MCI groups showed faster rates of decline in everyday function than cognitively normal participants with no MCI.


CONCLUSIONS
Results demonstrate the importance of MCI as a clinical entity that not only predicts progression to dementia, but also predicts functional declines in activities that are key to autonomy and quality of life. MCI classification guidelines should allow for functional changes in MCI, and clinicians should monitor for such changes. Preservation of function may serve as a meaningful outcome for intervention efforts.
Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294, USA. vwadley@uab.edu
Virginia G
VG
Wadley
Michael
M
Crowe
Michael
M
Marsiske
Sarah E
SE
Cook
Frederick W
FW
Unverzagt
Adrienne L
AL
Rosenberg
Daniel
D
Rexroth
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000145:classification* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011594:Psychometrics; D012720:Severity of Illness Index