Critical Research Appraisal: Dementia Risk Factors and Interventions

This report provides a critical appraisal of dementia, examining its risk factors and intervention strategies. The study defines dementia, explores risk factors such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, and lifestyle choices, and discusses early and end-stage symptoms. It utilizes the PICO strategy to formulate a research question and includes two database searches that discuss palliative care and cognitive behavior therapy as effective interventions. The primary research method used is a questionnaire distributed to healthcare practitioners in the UK. The report concludes that dementia is a syndrome affecting memory and behavior, and recommends further research focusing on secondary sources to analyze study patterns. References include books and journals related to dementia research.

Critical Research Appraisal: Assessment 3: Literature search template
Section 1: Topic/ problem and population/area of enquiry (Approx. 100 words)
(10 marks)
Topic: “To critically analyze the risk factors associated with Dementia and necessary intervention
strategies for better treatment.”
Research Objectives:
 The main objective of the reaserch study is to develop an understanding on dementia. This
study will also critically evaluate and analyze the risk factors associated with Dementia.
Furthermore, this study provide necessary intervention strategies for better treatment of
Dementia.
Research problems
 The key problem which will be demonstarted within the study is related with developing
understand by the term Dementia. This study will also examine the questions of what are
the risk factors associated with Dementia. This study will also examine the raeserch
problem related with the effective recommendable intervention strategies for better
treatment of Dementia.
Section 2: PICO strategy plus 2 database searches (Approx. 480 words in total)
PICO Strategy (be brief no more than 60 words) (15 marks)
(do not write in this row)
Problem and Population
The key summary of the problem associated with the research is to find out the various the risk
factors associated with Dementia and necessary intervention strategies for better treatment. It
also demonstartes effective treatment and interventions associated with the dementia. The
information associated with the study will be carried out from the 20 health care practitioners
of UK.
Intervention
Cognitive Stimulation Therapy is an effective intervention for providing support and care with
people suffering from dementia (Hardy and et.al., 2016.).
Comparison (if relevant)
Outcome
Proving palliative care and cognitive behavior therapy is considered to be an effective

measure in order to treat patient suffering from dementia.
Your final search question
 What are the risk factors associated with Dementia and necessary intervention
strategies for better treatment?
Key words to be used in searches
Dementia, Cognitive behavior therapy, patients, mental health, health practitioners,
Pallative care.
Section 2 cont… Database search 1: (Approx. 210 words)
(25 marks)
Wotton and Goldacre, (2017) said that, Dementia is considered to be a syndrome which
in turn results in deterioration of memory, attitude, behaviour, knowledge and also the
capability to perform everyday tasks. Dementia tends to occur in individuals with much older
age. There are several risk factors which mainly results in dementia comprises of
Atherosclerosis, Homocysteine, diabetes, cholesterol, experiential and psychological factors,
mild cognitive impairment, down syndrome, Plasma homocysteine, age, gender imbalance,
smoking and alcohol substances, family history with dementia, etc. are considered to be the
major risk factors associated with dementia. Early signs of dementia mainly includes problems
associated with memory, confusion, behavior changes, reduced concentration, personality
changes, problem speaking and writing, misplacing, poor judgement, etc. Jones, Windle
and Edwards, (2020) determined that, End stage dementia includes a sign related with
yelling, moaning, inability to sleep, restlessness, sweating, total memory loss, grimacing, etc.
Personality types which mainly includes low level of conscientiousness and high degree of
neuroticism are likely to be more prone to the mental health or dementia.
Cadar and et.al., (2018) evaluated that, Dementia can be effectively prevented by
declining heart stroke, no smoking, exercising, maintaining healthy body index and weight,
consuming healthy food, managing various health problems like high blood pressure, diabestes
and cholesterol. Dementia can also be prevented by staying mentally alert by effectively
solving new crossword puzzles, reading and learning new hobbies. Staying socially involved
and attending community activities also helps in preventing dementia.
Section 2 cont… Database search 2: (Approx. 210 words)
(25 marks)
Sommerlad and et.al., (2018) said that, Pallative care is considered to be an effective
intervention taken by the health care practitioner in order to improve mental health of the
patient suffering from dementia. Palliative care is very useful in enhancing the quality of life
of an individual and the family members (Treatment Options for Dementia, 2019).
Lorenz and et.al., (2019), evaluated that, Cognitive behavior therapy is considered to be
one of the most effective intervention for the patients suffering from dementia. This an
effective method which helps in engaging and stimulating patients with dementia in providing
an effective learning environment and various other social benefits and interaction in order to

improve their mental health. Hardy and et.al., (2016) argued that, In order to treat
aggressive dementia the patients should focus on limiting distractions and try to carry out some
relaxing activities. This in turn helps in shifting the focus of the patient to another activity
which in turn leads to better care treatment to the patients suffering from dementia.
Section 3: Evaluation of the primary research methods used (Approx. 140 words)
(15marks)
Primary research method is an effective methodology which helps in collecting first hand,
fresh and new information in order to critically analyze the risk factors associated with
Dementia and necessary intervention strategies for better treatment (Wotton and
Goldacre, 2017). The researcher of the study will use questionnaire as the primary research
method which helps in collecting useful information from the 20 health care practitioners of
UK. This helps in gaining relevant and useful information associated with the particular
research study.
Section 4: Conclusion and recommendations (Approx. 80 words) (10 marks)
From the above conducted study it has been concluded that, dementia is considered to be a
syndrome which in turn results in deterioration of memory, behaviour, attitude and also the
capability to carry out day to day tasks. This study also helps in determining various ways
of preventing dementia in order to live better quality of life. Furthermore, palliative care
and cognitive behavior therapy is considered to be an effective measure in order to treat
patient suffering from dementia. For carrying out further reaserch core focus must be on
carrying out secondary research in order to analyse various patterns of teh study.
Section 5: References
Books and journals
Cadar, D and et.al., 2018. Individual and area-based socioeconomic factors
associated with dementia incidence in England: evidence from a 12-
year follow-up in the English longitudinal study of ageing. JAMA
psychiatry, 75(7), pp.723-732.
Hardy, C.J and et.al., 2016. Hearing and dementia. Journal of
neurology, 263(11), pp.2339-2354.
Jones, C., Windle, G. and Edwards, R.T., 2020. Dementia and imagination: A
social return on investment analysis framework for art activities for
people living with dementia. The Gerontologist, 60(1), pp.112-123.
Lorenz, K and et.al., 2019. Technology-based tools and services for people
with dementia and carers: Mapping technology onto the dementia
care pathway. Dementia, 18(2), pp.725-741.
Sommerlad, A and et.al., 2018. Accuracy of general hospital dementia

diagnoses in England: sensitivity, specificity, and predictors of
diagnostic accuracy 2008–2016. Alzheimer's & Dementia, 14(7),
pp.933-943.
Wotton, C.J. and Goldacre, M.J., 2017. Associations between specific
autoimmune diseases and subsequent dementia: retrospective record-
linkage cohort study, UK. J Epidemiol Community Health, 71(6),
pp.576-583.
Online
Treatment Options for Dementia. 2019. [ONLINE]. Available through:<
https://stanfordhealthcare.org/medical-conditions/brain-and-nerves/dementia/treatments.html
>