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Table 3 Themes arising from semi-structured interviews

From: Are clinical trials randomising households to lifestyle interventions to delay cognitive decline feasible? A pilot study to determine the beliefs, preferences, and deterrents for households impacted by dementia based on semi-structured interviews

Themes

Household members without dementia were more likely to report poor sleep habits

Sleep habits were perceived to be much more related to the individual and the household and would be the hardest to change and sustain change within households

Although most participants had healthy diets, most were interested in making a change if it would be of benefit to cognition

Participants felt there was a strong link with nutrition and cognition

Physical activity is challenging to adapt due to lack of motivation and focus when individuals are cognitively impaired and additional barriers to changing lifestyle interventions concentrated around risk of harm

Motivations for physical activity in households are far beyond strength and cardiovascular benefit; more prominently it used for relaxation and social interaction.

Digital or online based interventions were appealing with virtual visits highlighted as a method to improve trial participation

Regular support and reminders would be beneficial to support behavioural change