What Impact Does the Diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment Have on the Wellbeing, Everyday Behavior, and Healthcare Utilization of People and Their Carers? A Systematic Review.

Abstract

Dementia is a major cause of disability and dependency globally. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is considered an early indicator of developing dementia. There are growing efforts to detect and diagnose MCI earlier; consequently, we need to understand the perspectives of individuals and carers regarding the implications of an MCI diagnosis. To systematically review qualitative literature to understand the impact of a MCI diagnosis on both the individual and their carers, focusing on wellbeing, everyday behaviors, and healthcare utilization. Key search terms were input into five databases. Studies were included if they were peer-reviewed qualitative research published in English that obtained perspectives of community-dwellers with MCI or carers and focused on either their wellbeing, everyday behaviors and/or healthcare utilization. The protocol was pre-registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021291995). Data was synthesized narratively. Key findings from 15 eligible articles highlighted the negative impact of an MCI diagnosis on the wellbeing of both individuals and carers, due to stigma and limited understanding regarding diagnosis/prognosis. Changes in everyday behavior varied, particularly regarding motivation to engage with physical activity, hobbies and social opportunities. Both individuals and carers were sometimes dissatisfied with healthcare services; ineffective communication during clinical consolations highlighted as a reason for lack of trust in clinicians. Results indicate that an MCI diagnosis impacts both people with MCI and their carers across key facets of life. There is a critical need to effectively communicate the diagnosis and prognosis of MCI to support wellbeing and everyday activities and ensure trust in healthcare services.