A Survey of Patient and Partner Outcome and Treatment Preferences in Mild Cognitive Impairment.

BACKGROUND: The patient-centered movement in health care is increasing efforts to design studies and interventions that address the outcomes that matter most to patients and their families. Research has not adequately addressed Alzheimer's disease patient and caregiver preferences.

OBJECTIVE: To survey the outcome and treatment preferences of patients and caregivers who had completed a multicomponent behavioral intervention for mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

METHODS: Extending prior work, we conducted an online survey regarding outcome and intervention preferences. Participants were patients with MCI and partners who completed the HABIT Healthy Action to Benefit Independence & Thinking ® program.

RESULTS: Both patient and partner respondents ranked patient quality of life as the highest priority, followed by patient self-efficacy, functional status, patient mood, and patient memory performance. Distressing behaviors and caregiver outcomes (burden, mood, and self-efficacy) had low rankings. Regarding the importance of HABIT ® program components, memory compensation training was ranked highest and wellness education lowest by all groups.

CONCLUSION: Additional research should compare patient preference for patient reported outcomes, traditional neuropsychological and clinician outcomes, and modern biomarker outcomes.