Factors associated with dementia risk reduction lifestyle in mild cognitive impairment: a cross-sectional study of individuals and their family caregivers.

OBJECTIVE

A healthy lifestyle has been shown to mitigate cognitive decline in patients with mild cognitive impairment, with family caregivers playing a pivotal role in the patients' lifestyle management. Exploring the level of dementia risk reduction lifestyle and the influencing factors at both the patient and caregiver levels in patients with mild cognitive impairment is crucial for identifying strategies to improve patients' lifestyles and delay disease progression.

METHODS

Using a convenience sampling method, 302 patients with mild cognitive impairment and their family caregivers admitted to the neurology departments of four tertiary care hospitals in China, from December 2024 to February 2025 were recruited and surveyed using a general information questionnaire, the Dementia Risk Reduction Lifestyle Scale (DRRLS), the Motivation to Change Lifestyle and Health Behaviors for Dementia Risk Reduction scale (MCLHB-DRR), the Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS), and the Mutuality Scale (MS). Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the factors influencing the dementia risk reduction lifestyle of patients.

RESULTS

DRRLS score of 83.61 ± 16.13, multiple linear regression showed that the patient's monthly individual income, the presence of chronic disease, health beliefs, and social support were independent influences on their dementia risk reduction lifestyle. Furthermore, the lifestyle and mutuality of family caregivers were also independent influences on dementia risk reduction lifestyle in patients. The final model explained 75.5% of the variance in the lifestyle.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with mild cognitive impairment have a general level of dementia risk reduction lifestyle. The characteristics of both patients and caregivers collectively influence the patients' lifestyle. Healthcare providers should conduct early dyadic assessments and develop targeted dyadic intervention strategies based on influencing factors to improve patients' lifestyles and help them delay disease progression.