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>The researchers said their exercise programme "does not slow cognitive decline in people with mild to moderate dementia". > They were recruited through memory

>The researchers said their exercise programme "does not slow cognitive decline in people with mild to moderate dementia". > They were recruited through memory clinics – specialist services that help people who have problems with their memory – and GP surgeries. Carers were asked to take the decision on behalf of people whose dementia meant they were unable to. I think we have to be very careful about what these researchers characterize as "mild to moderate dementia". I would contend that people who are forced to seek professional help - let alone those who are unable to make decisions for themselves, are beyond the point of "mild to moderate dementia". A good argument could be made that the vast majority of people with "mild" dementia are not under professional care and do not require a caretaker to make decisions for them. They are forgetful, absentminded, and/or showing other "mild" symptoms of dementia.

hmahncke 8y ago
Caregiver informed consent (and participant assent) for research is common when working with populations with significant cognitive impairment. Human research review committees essentially always require that to protect participants. You're certainly right that lots of people with early stage dementia are community living and not diagnosed.
- StanislavPetrov 8y ago
  >populations with significant cognitive impairment. "Significant cognitive impairment" should not be characterized as, "mild dementia". If it is too difficult to recruit people with mild dementia for a study, then they should report their results as being relevent to only those with "moderate" dementia.
  - hmahncke 8y ago
    The diagnostic criteria for mild dementia are significant cognitive impairment that interferes with activities of everyday living. There are plenty of people still living at home with a caregiver/spouse, and people living at home on their own that meet these criteria.

hmahncke 8y ago

Caregiver informed consent (and participant assent) for research is common when working with populations with significant cognitive impairment. Human research review committees essentially always require that to protect participants. You're certainly right that lots of people with early stage dementia are community living and not diagnosed.

StanislavPetrov 8y ago
>populations with significant cognitive impairment. "Significant cognitive impairment" should not be characterized as, "mild dementia". If it is too difficult to recruit people with mild dementia for a study, then they should report their results as being relevent to only those with "moderate" dementia.
- hmahncke 8y ago
  The diagnostic criteria for mild dementia are significant cognitive impairment that interferes with activities of everyday living. There are plenty of people still living at home with a caregiver/spouse, and people living at home on their own that meet these criteria.