SENSE-Cog Needs analysis and Intervention development
Research type
Research Study
Full title
SENSE-Cog Needs analysis and Intervention development
IRAS ID
207357
Contact name
Iracema Leroi
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Manchester
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 30 days
Research summary
Under-treated hearing and vision loss in the elderly costs the EU billions per year. This impact is significantly compounded by the presence of these impairments in people with dementia. Seven in ten Europeans over the age of 65 suffer either sight or hearing loss and over two-thirds suffer depression and other mental illnesses. Dementia and cognitive impairment steadily rise in prevalence over the age of 65 to the point where almost one-third of Europeans at the age of 90 are affected. Thus, the overlap amongst sensory and cognitive ill health is substantial and all three impact significantly on each other, resulting in a crucible of ‘multi-morbidity’. They are all within the top 10 highest burden of EU diseases in terms of reduced quality of life. To date there have been almost no interventions to support vision and hearing impairment in people with dementia. The aim of this project is to develop, refine and field test an individualised form of ‘sensory support’ intervention for people with dementia and concurrent sensory impairment living at home. This will be undertaken using a mixed-methods approach, involving the integration of new information with existing evidence, experience, and expertise.
We will do this in 2 ways: (1) through qualitative methods (focus groups and semi-structured interviews); and (2) through a questionnaire-based survey of needs.
The overall purpose of collecting this information is to develop a new and testable intervention aimed at hearing and vision support to improve dementia outcomes. The new intervention will be fully trialled in a subsequent research study. This study here is one of the first steps in developing the intervention.REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/YH/0254
Date of REC Opinion
21 Jul 2016
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion