The researchers are using these data to test a theoretical model based on the idea that physical, interpersonal, environmental and psychological factors all contribute to an individual's overall quality of life. Study Description Dr. Gibbons described the study design, explaining that each of the 140 community-dwelling participants was diagnosed with probable or possible AD based on a comprehensive evaluation and a consensus meeting. Baseline data have been collected and the participants will be re-evaluated every 6 months for 3 years. This will allow the researchers to record participant and caregiver assessments of quality of life and to evaluate the impact of participant health and physical status, cognitive and functional ability, mood, sleep, and behavioral disturbance, and caregiver mood, sleep, and burden on QOL over time. At baseline, the mean age of participants was 77.
Most participants are married and living with spouses.
Most are at least high school graduates. Gibbons reported a wide range of cognitive functional impairment among the study sample, but found that physical functioning inthe group is comparable to other adults of their age. Psychological Status of Participants and Caregivers Dr. Teri discussed components of psychological health of individuals with AD and their caregivers. She concluded that, although the measurement of patient depression needs further refinement and the ability to predict depression is limited, it is clear that patient and caregiver depression are associated. More research is needed, but these results suggest an approach to reducing depressive symptoms in AD, Teri pointed out.