FC29: Development of an Informant-Reported Lucidity Measure

Abstract

Objective:

The aim was to develop a lucidity measure for use with front-line caregivers to describe lucidity episodes among individuals with dementia, neurological and other illnesses and identify associated individual and episodic event characteristics.

Methods:

Qualitative: An external advisory board reviewed the clarity, breadth, and scope of the conceptual definition and item content. Modified focus groups were conducted with 20 staff and 10 family members who participated using a web-based survey. Data were extracted from Qualtrics for analysis using NVivo. Semi-structured cognitive interviews were conducted with10 health professionals working with older adults with cognitive impairment.

Quantitative: A combined exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis was performed to test for dimensionality. The explained common variance (ECV), calculated as the percent of observed variance was estimated. Estimates of internal consistency such as ordinal alpha and McDonald’s omega were computed in R and Mplus.

Results:

Data were collected from 50 staff informants on behalf of 302 residents, 25 with lucidity events. The majority (74%) of those interviewed were certified nursing assistants. Most (58%) of the sample of residents were White and 21% Black or African American. One fourth (25%) were Hispanic or Latino. Most (80% to 90%) of those with lucidity events were reported to have memory deficits and at least 70% required maximal assistance in performing basic tasks such as dressing. Most events (60%) were of short duration (10 minutes or less), and included showing facial expressions (83%) and making eye contact (88%). One half spoke multiple sentences. About half were reported to hold a conversation, and speak coherently to convey needs; 40% were able to remember and mention the name of relatives. Staff reactions were of surprise (60%) shock (52%) and happiness (50%).

Data for item modification derived from the focus groups and cognitive interviews resulted in the final lucidity measure. Internal consistency estimates were high, with most ranging from 0.76 to 0.98. The ECVs were high for most scales, indicative of essential unidimensionality.

Discussion:

The dimensionality and reliability analyses results were strong, and supportive of unidimensional scales with high internal consistency. The feasibility of conducting assessments of lucidity events was established.