Psychosocial intervention research for dementia: Discussing methodological gaps and novel approaches

titlePsychosocial intervention research for dementia: Discussing methodological gaps and novel approaches
start_date2025/05/16
schedule11h30-12h30
onlineno
location_infosalle A3-317
summaryThe seminar will explore current methodological challenges and novel approaches in psychosocial intervention research for dementia, with a focus on the updated UK Medical Research Council (MRC) framework for developing, evaluating and implementing complex interventions. The MRC framework (Skivington et al., 2021) outlines core components (e.g. intervention context, stakeholder involvement, programme theory) and stages (i.e., development, feasibility/piloting, evaluation, and implementation). The MRC has great value for psychosocial intervention research in dementia care. However, despite methodological advancements, there appears to persist a predominant reliance on Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTs) for evidence on complex interventions. RCTs often overlook contextual factors and the dynamic complexities in dementia care settings, thus limiting insights into the mechanisms underlying changes. Dr Federica D’Andrea will discuss some methodological gaps in psychosocial intervention research in dementia, with a specific focus on stakeholder-informed research and co-approaches as well as theory-driven evaluations. She will present a realist review on olfactory interventions in care homes as an example of theory-driven synthesis approach. Finally, she will outline concrete future plans to advance methods and methodologies in the field of psychosocial interventions for dementia through METHODEM project, namely the research plans for an extensive scoping review and Delphi study.
responsiblesNC