Feedback on a Multimodal Cognitive Intervention for Adults Aging With HIV: A Focus Group Study.
David E Vance, C Ann Gakumo, Gwendolyn D Childs and 2 others
PMID 28669770WHAT IT FOUND
Older adults with HIV and cognitive complaints liked a structured Cognitive Prescription because it gave clear, individualized lifestyle goals to track.
They ranked nutrition, mental activity, and sleep first, but many said other health and social concerns came before brain health.
Key findings
01Participants were receptive to the proposed Cognitive Prescription because it gave clear directions and allowed individualized goals.
02On average, participants preferred nutrition, mental activity, and sleep hygiene over emotional health, social engagement, physical activity, coping/resilience, and substance use.
03For many participants, concerns about comorbidities, frailty, stress, stigma, and social support took priority over brain health and cognition.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The sample overrepresented African Americans and underrepresented Caucasians, especially Caucasian women. Participants were recruited from one HIV clinic and screened by self-report, not medical records. No objective cognitive testing was done, so some may not have had HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder. No formal questionnaire measured knowledge of lifestyle and brain health. Participants had to report cognitive complaints, so views of people without complaints were not included. The study asked about a proposed intervention, not a delivered one, so it cannot show effectiveness.
Declared interests
The authors reported no real or perceived vested interest that could be a conflict of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read this as evidence that Cognitive Prescriptions improve cognition or daily function. Participants only gave feedback on a proposed intervention; no cognitive outcomes were tested.