The Effects of a Nonpharmacological Intervention Practice for Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment and Their Family Caregivers in China

Abstract

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) marks a critical phase in the progression to dementia. In our study, social workers utilized the Multicomponent Nonpharmacological Intervention Approach (MCNIA) to aid MCI participants (N = 52) and their caregivers, dividing into intervention and control groups. The intervention group underwent an additional regimen of non-pharmacological therapies besides pharmacological treatment. Our findings highlighted that: 1) MCNIA significantly enhanced cognitive and daily living abilities in the intervention group; 2) Caregivers experienced reduced burdens and improved social support; 3) Correlation analyses involving biomarkers indicated that MCNIA was particularly effective in alleviating depression in those with slightly more severe cognitive impairment.