Informant-based tools for assessment and monitoring of cognition, behavior, and function in neurocognitive disorders: Systematic review and report from a CCCDTD5 Working Group.

OBJECTIVE: As part of the fifth Canadian Consensus Conference on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Dementia, we assessed the literature on informant-based tools for assessment and monitoring of cognition, behavior, and function in neurocognitive disorders (NCDs) to provide evidence-based recommendations for clinicians and researchers. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses standards guidelines. Publications that validated the informant-based tools or described their key properties were reviewed. Quality of the studies was assessed using the modified Quality Assessment tool for Diagnostic Accuracy Studies. RESULTS: Out of 386 publications identified through systematic search, 34 that described 19 informant-based tools were included in the final review. Most of these tools are backed by good-quality studies and are appropriate to use in clinical care or research. The tools vary in their psychometric properties, domains covered, comprehensiveness, completion time, and ability to detect longitudinal change. Based on these properties, we identify different tools that may be appropriate for primary care, specialized memory clinic, or research settings. We also identify barriers to use of these tools in routine clinical practice. CONCLUSION: There are several good-quality tools available to collect informant-report for assessment and monitoring of cognition, behavior, or function in patients with NCDs. Clinicians and researchers may choose a particular tool based on their specific needs such as domains of interest, desired psychometric properties, and feasibility. Further work is needed to make the tools more user-friendly and to adopt them into routine clinical care.

Sudarshan Kriya Yoga Program in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Feasibility Study.

BACKGROUND: Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY), a breath-based yoga intervention, has demonstrated safety and efficacy in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) patients subsequent to natural disaster or war, but has not been explored in civilians with PTSD from a wider range of trauma. We hypothesized that it would be feasible to conduct a clinical trial of SKY in PTSD resulting from a wide range of trauma. METHODS: Outcomes were feasibility measures including rates of enrollment and retention, adherence to study protocol; as well as changes in PTSD symptoms, other mood symptoms, and physiological measures. Male and female participants aged 18-75 years were enrolled in a feasibility trial. They attended a 6-day learning phase of SKY followed by 7 sessions over 11 weeks as an adjunct to their usual treatment. RESULTS: Forty-seven participants were screened and 32 were enrolled over 9 months. Consistent with retention rates of other PTSD trials, 13 withdrew from the study prior to week 12. Twenty-one participants met intervention attendance requirements, completed 95% of planned study assessments and were included in final analyses. Participants experienced clinically significant decrease in PTSD symptoms on the posttraumatic stress disorder checklist (PCL-5) scores at week 12 mean difference, Mdiff (standard deviation [SD]) = -10.68 (14.03), P = 0.004; Cohen's d = 0.58, which was sustained at week 24 Mdiff (SD) = -16.11 (15.20), P < 0.001; Cohen's d = 0.91. CONCLUSIONS: It is possible to conduct a clinical trial of SKY in a routine psychiatry clinic serving patients with PTSD due to a wide range of trauma. Future studies should include an RCT design.

CCCDTD5 recommendations on early and timely assessment of neurocognitive disorders using cognitive, behavioral, and functional scales.

INTRODUCTION: Earlier diagnosis of neurocognitive disorders and neurodegenerative disease is needed to implement preventative interventions, minimize harm, and reduce risk of exploitation in the context of undetected disease. Along the spectrum from subjective cognitive decline (SCD) to dementia, evidence continues to emerge with respect to detection, staging, and monitoring. Updates to previous guidelines are required for clinical practice. METHODS: A subcommittee of the 5th Canadian Consensus Conference on Diagnosis and Treatment of Dementia (CCCDTD) reviewed emerging evidence to address the following: (1) Is there a role for screening at-risk patients without clinical concerns? In what context is assessment for dementia appropriate? (2) What tools can be used to evaluate patients in whom cognitive decline is suspected? (3) What important information can be gained from an informant, using which measures? (4) What instruments can be used to get more in-depth information to diagnose mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia? (5) What is the approach to those with cognitive concerns but without objective changes (ie, SCD)? (6) How do we track response to treatment and change over time? The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation system was used to rate quality of the evidence and strength of the recommendations. RESULTS: We recommend instruments to assess and monitor cognition, behavior, and function across the cognitive spectrum, including reports from patient and informant. We recommend against screening asymptomatic older adults but recommend investigation for self- or informant reports of changes in cognition, emergence of behavioral or psychiatric symptoms, or decline in function or self-care. Standardized assessments should be used for cognitive and behavioral change that have sufficient validity for use in clinical practice. DISCUSSION: The CCCDTD5 provides evidence-based recommendations for detection, assessment, and monitoring of neurocognitive disorders. Although these guidelines were developed for use in Canada, they may also be useful in other jurisdictions.