title: Encouraging lifestyle behaviour change in mild cognitive impairment patients: development of appropriate educational material.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A healthy lifestyle may help maintain cognitive function and reduce the risk of developing dementia. This study employed a focus group approach in order to gain insight into opinions of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients, caregivers (CG) and health professionals (HP) regarding lifestyle and its relationship with cognition. The qualitative data were used to design, develop and pilot test educational material (EM) to help encourage lifestyle behaviour change.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data gathering phase: structured interviews were conducted with HP (n = 10), and focus groups with MCI patients (n = 24) and CG (n = 12). EM was developed and pilot tested with a new group of MCI patients (n = 21) and CG (n = 6).
  
  
  RESULTS
  HP alluded to the lack of clinical trial evidence for a lifestyle and MCI risk link. Although they felt that lifestyle modifications should be recommended to MCI patients, they appeared hesitant in communicating this information and discussions were often patient-driven. MCI patients lacked awareness of the lifestyle cognition link. Participants preferred EM to be concise, eye-catching and in written format, with personal delivery of information favoured. Most pilot testers approved of the EM but were heterogeneous in terms of lifestyle, willingness to change and support needed to change.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MCI patients need to be made more aware of the importance of lifestyle for cognition. EM such as those developed here, which are specifically tailored for this population would be valuable for HP who, currently, appear reticent in initiating lifestyle-related discussions. Following further evaluation, the EM could be used in health promotion activities targeting MCI patients.
authors: Centre for Public Health, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Clinical Science B, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom.
authors: Charlotte E
authors: CE
authors: Neville
authors: Hannah J
authors: HJ
authors: McCourt
authors: Michelle C
authors: MC
authors: McKinley
authors: Carole
authors: C
authors: Lowis
authors: Suzanne L
authors: SL
authors: Barrett
authors: Bernadette
authors: B
authors: McGuinness
authors: Stephen
authors: S
authors: Todd
authors: Brian
authors: B
authors: Lawlor
authors: Matthew
authors: M
authors: Gibb
authors: Robert F
authors: RF
authors: Coen
authors: Anthony P
authors: AP
authors: Passmore
authors: Jayne V
authors: JV
authors: Woodside
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology; D003071:Cognition; D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000523:psychology*; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D016730:Program Development; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires