Self-compassion and Quality of Life After Dementia Diagnosis

NCT06465173 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: PID 17089
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 23
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aims to investigate whether self-compassion is associated with older adult's quality of life after a diagnosis of dementia, and whether perceived threat posed by dementia mediates this relationship. Self-compassion has been found to be positive in supporting individuals in times of difficulty, in adjustment processes and older adults' wellbeing. While different factors have begun to be identified which are associated with individuals' psychological wellbeing and adjustment following a dementia diagnosis, little is known about the influence of self-compassion. Participants will be recruited via NHS memory clinics, Join Dementia Research and from the community via third-sector organisations. Individuals will be invited to attend a Microsoft Teams/telephone appointment in which informed consent and cognitive screening processes will take place at the start. Eligible participants will then be invited to continue to complete measures administered by a researcher and an interview question. Participants will be offered the opportunity to complete the measures in a second session (within 8 weeks) or using the online survey software, Qualtrics, if preferred. A small pilot study (n = 5) will take place prior to the main study.

Conditions

Dementia

Keywords

dementia; self-compassion; quality of life

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Quality of Life in Alzheimer's Disease

  The Quality of Life in Alzheimer's Disease consists of 13 items relating to different aspects of quality of life, such as mood, physical health, friends and ability to do things for fun. Each item is scored from 1 ('poor') to 4 ('excellent') to calculate a total score.

  Through study completion, average 40-60 minutes

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Stress Appraisal Measure

  Through study completion, average 40-60 minutes

• Geriatric Depression Scale - 10

  Through study completion, average 40-60 minutes

Other Outcomes (1)

• Self-compassion Scale - Short Form

  Through study completion, average 40-60 minutes

Study Arms (2)

'High self-compassion' group

Participants' total mean score on the Self-compassion Scale - Short Form will be used as the independent variable. A median split (+/-1 standard error of the median) on the Self-compassion Scale - Short Form will be used to retrospectively allocate participants to groups, with participants scoring ≥ + 1 standard error of the median on the Self-compassion Scale - Short Form allocated to a 'High self-compassion' group.

'Low self-compassion' group

Participants' total mean score on the Self-compassion Scale - Short Form will be used as the independent variable. A median split (+/-1 standard error of the median) on the Self-compassion Scale - Short Form will be used to retrospectively allocate participants to groups, with participants scoring ≤ - 1 standard error of the median on the Self-compassion Scale - Short Form allocated to a 'Low self-compassion' group.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 65 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The participant sample is anticipated to comprise NHS patients who have been seen in memory clinic and individuals recruited from the community.

You may qualify if:

• An older adult aged ≥ 65 years
• A confirmed diagnosis of dementia received within the past 12 months
• They have knowledge of their diagnosis
• They have English language proficiency
• They have capacity to give informed consent to participation.

You may not qualify if:

• They are deemed to lack capacity to give informed consent to participate (as per the Mental Capacity Act, 2005).
• They have a diagnosis of early-onset dementia, defined as individuals who are aged \< 65 at diagnosis
• A score on the MoCA Blind (Nasreddine, 2022b) screening measure of \<7 out of 22, which is calculated as equivalent to \<10 out of 30 on the MoCA (Nasreddine et al., 2005).

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust: lead

Study Sites (1)

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust

Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX3 7JX, United Kingdom

Location

Related Publications (6)

• Neff, K. (2003). Development and validation of a scale to measure self-compassion. Self and identity(2), 223-250.

  BACKGROUND

• Neff, K. (2022). Self-Compassion Scale - Short-Form (SCS-SF) Information. https://self-compassion.org/self-compassion-scales-for-researchers/

  BACKGROUND

• van Marwijk HW, Wallace P, de Bock GH, Hermans J, Kaptein AA, Mulder JD. Evaluation of the feasibility, reliability and diagnostic value of shortened versions of the geriatric depression scale. Br J Gen Pract. 1995 Apr;45(393):195-9.

  PMID: 7612321 BACKGROUND

• Peacock, E. J., & Wong, P. T. (1990). The stress appraisal measure (SAM): A multidimensional approach to cognitive appraisal. Stress medicine, 6(3), 227-236.

  BACKGROUND

• Logsdon, R. G., Gibbons, L. E., McCurry, S. M., & Teri, L. (1999). Quality of life in Alzheimer's disease: patient and caregiver reports. Journal of Mental health and Aging, 5, 21-32

  BACKGROUND

• Raes F, Pommier E, Neff KD, Van Gucht D. Construction and factorial validation of a short form of the Self-Compassion Scale. Clin Psychol Psychother. 2011 May-Jun;18(3):250-5. doi: 10.1002/cpp.702. Epub 2010 Jun 8.

  PMID: 21584907 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Dementia

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Neurocognitive Disorders; Mental Disorders

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE CONTROL
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER GOV
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 24, 2024
• First Posted: June 18, 2024
• Study Start: February 2, 2024
• Primary Completion: October 23, 2024
• Study Completion: October 23, 2024
• Last Updated: April 16, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Locations

GB (1)