RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Dementia Early-Stage Cognitive Aids New Trial (DESCANT) of memory aids and guidance for people with dementia: randomised controlled trial JF Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry JO J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd SP 1001 OP 1009 DO 10.1136/jnnp-2021-326748 VO 93 IS 9 A1 Clarkson, Paul A1 Pitts, Rosa A1 Islam, Saiful A1 Peconi, Julie A1 Russell, Ian A1 Fegan, Greg A1 Beresford, Rebecca A1 Entwistle, Charlotte A1 Gillan, Vincent A1 Orrell, Martin A1 Challis, David A1 Chester, Helen A1 Hughes, Jane A1 Kapur, Narinder A1 Roe, Brenda A1 Malik, Baber A1 Robinson, Catherine YR 2022 UL http://jnnp.bmj.com/content/93/9/1001.abstract AB Background Common memory aids for people with dementia at home are recommended. However, rigorous evaluation is lacking, particularly what guidance or support is valued.Objective To investigate effects of memory aids and guidance by dementia support practitioners (DSPs) for people in early-stage dementia through a pragmatic, randomised controlled trial.Methods Of 469 people with mild-to-moderate dementia and their informal carers, 468 were randomised to a DSP with memory aids or to usual care plus existing dementia guide. Allocation was stratified by Trust/Health Board; time since first attendance at memory service; gender; age; and living with primary carer or not. Primary outcome was Bristol Activities of Daily Living Scale (BADLS) Score at 3 and 6 months (primary end-point). Secondary outcomes for people with dementia: quality of life (CASP-19; DEMQOL); cognition and functioning (Clinical Dementia Rating Scale; S-MMSE); capability (ICECAP-O); social networks (LSNS-R); and instrumental daily living activities (R-IDDD). Secondary outcomes for carers: psychological health (GHQ-12); sense of competence (SSCQ).Results DSPs were successfully trained, compliance was good and welcomed by participants. Mean 6 months BADLS Score increased to 14.6 (SD: 10.4) in intervention and 12.6 (SD: 8.1) in comparator, indicative of greater dependence in the activities of daily living. Adjusted between-group difference was 0.38 (95% CI: −0.89 to 1.65, p=0.56). Though this suggests greater dependency in the intervention group the difference was not significant. No differences were found in secondary outcomes.Conclusions This intervention did not maintain independence in the activities of daily living with no improvement in other outcomes for people with dementia or carers.Trial registration number Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN12591717.Data are available upon reasonable request. Data are available on reasonable request from the corresponding author