Cognitive Model for Behavioral Interventions as a Non-pharmacological Intervention for Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia
Examining the Efficacy of a Personalized Cognitive Model as Non-Pharmacological Intervention for Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
60 participants
Feb 16, 2026
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
The goal of this study is to evaluate whether the Cognitive Model for Behavioral Interventions (CoMBI), a person-centered, non-pharmacological intervention, can reduce behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in people with dementia living in nursing homes. The study also aims to examine whether CoMBI can reduce caregiver burden and improve quality of life in people with dementia. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does CoMBI reduce the severity of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia compared to care as usual? Does a reduction in BPSD lead to lower caregiver burden and improved quality of life for people with dementia? Do personal factors, such as personality (dys)functioning, gender, level of cognitive impairment and stage of dementia, influence the effectiveness of CoMBI? Researchers will compare CoMBI to care as usual to determine whether CoMBI leads to better outcomes for people with dementia and their caregivers. Participants will: Receive care in residential long-term care facilities where care staff are trained to apply CoMBI. Be observed and assessed repeatedly over time as part of a stepped-wedge cluster randomized trial design.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria6
- Being a resident in a participating nursing home
- Having a formal diagnosis of neurocognitive disorder (NCD) accord-ing to DSM-5-TR (e.g. Alzheimer's disease, NCD with Lewy Bodies, Vascular NCD, …) or a medical record indicating probable dementia
- Presence of one or more BPSD symptoms at moment of inclusion in the study (measured with the NPI-Q at baseline). Symptoms measured by the NPI-Q include delusions, hallucinations, agitation/aggression, depression/dysphoria, anxiety, euphoria/elated mood, apathy/indifference, disinhibition, irritability/lability, aberrant motor behavior, nighttime behavior disturbances/sleep disturbances, and changes in appetite and eating behavior.
- Primary caregivers (i.e. nurses providing daily care) and patient's representative and/or a close relative/friend (i.e. informant who will fill in the premorbid personality questionnaire) are proficient in Dutch (i.e., are able to fill in the questionnaires)
- The informant who fills in the premorbid personality questionnaire knows the patient well from before the onset of neurocognitive problems
- As individuals with dementia are often legally incapacitated, informed consent will be obtained prior to participation from the resident when competent to consent, or otherwise from the resident's legal representative when legally incompetent.
Exclusion Criteria2
- Exclusion criterion for nursing homes is:
- \- Already applying a structured (theory-based) behavioral counseling as CAU.
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Interventions
CoMBI describes a four-step approach. First, the primary caregiver systematically observes and assesses the resident's BPSD using the NPI-Q. Second, the person's core needs are identified. An informant completes the PID-5-BF+M. The results of the PID-5-BF+M together with the overview of the different personality types, help identify the resident's core needs. Third, the care team selects one core need based on the most prominent and challenging BPSD. They choose a maximum of three interventions, which can focus on the substantive contact, attitude and environment of the resident. Finally, The selected interventions are further specified and personalized so that they are appropriate for the person with dementia, taking into account their life history This is documented in a CoMBI care plan, specifying which interventions will be applied and the desired behavioral outcomes.
Locations(1)
View Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov
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NCT07356336