Research on the perspectives of people affected by dementia with Lewy bodies: a scoping review

Abstract Background Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is associated with specific challenges, including heterogeneity in clinical presentation and a less favourable prognosis relative to other dementia subtypes. These challenges necessitate person-centred care informed by the perspectives of those aff...

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Main Authors: Paula Sinead Donnelly, Aoife Sweeney, Anthony P. Passmore, Noleen K. McCorry, Joseph P. M. Kane
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-05-01
Series:Alzheimer’s Research & Therapy
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13195-025-01760-4
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author Paula Sinead Donnelly
Aoife Sweeney
Anthony P. Passmore
Noleen K. McCorry
Joseph P. M. Kane
author_facet Paula Sinead Donnelly
Aoife Sweeney
Anthony P. Passmore
Noleen K. McCorry
Joseph P. M. Kane
author_sort Paula Sinead Donnelly
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is associated with specific challenges, including heterogeneity in clinical presentation and a less favourable prognosis relative to other dementia subtypes. These challenges necessitate person-centred care informed by the perspectives of those affected by DLB. This scoping review aimed to map the extent, type, and nature of research focusing on the perspectives of individuals with DLB and their care partners. Methods and results We searched six databases and two grey literature sources to identify all types of work providing information on the perspectives of individuals with DLB and/or their care partners. Two reviewers independently applied study selection criteria. Data from eligible articles were extracted, charted, and summarised using descriptive numerical analysis and basic qualitative content analysis. The review included 140 sources, of which 89.3% were research articles. Excluding non-structured reflections and commentary articles (n = 4), 68.4% of sources were quantitative and 65.4% were cross-sectional. The most common method of collecting perspective data was standardised measures assessing multidimensional concepts, such as caregiver burden. In total, 13 topics were identified, with ‘emotional and psychological well-being’ (n = 64) being the most widely investigated. There was a significant gap before the next most common topic: ‘perspectives related to the symptom and illness experience’ (n = 34). Conclusion While a range of methods was identified in this review, the evidence base is characterised by a predominance of standardised measures, with comparatively less use of qualitative approaches or non-standardised tools incorporating bespoke questions tailored to the study population. There was a disproportionate focus on specific topics, leading to research gaps. We recommend exploring novel methods to systematically capture perspectives in DLB cohorts, particularly on topics of highest priority to those affected.
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spelling doaj-art-30cf94013f8144899fb600b9f3997e132025-08-20T02:39:05ZengBMCAlzheimer’s Research & Therapy1758-91932025-05-0117112310.1186/s13195-025-01760-4Research on the perspectives of people affected by dementia with Lewy bodies: a scoping reviewPaula Sinead Donnelly0Aoife Sweeney1Anthony P. Passmore2Noleen K. McCorry3Joseph P. M. Kane4Centre for Public Health, Queen’s University Belfast, Institute of Clinical Science B, Royal Victoria HospitalCentre for Public Health, Queen’s University Belfast, Institute of Clinical Science B, Royal Victoria HospitalCentre for Public Health, Queen’s University Belfast, Institute of Clinical Science B, Royal Victoria HospitalCentre for Public Health, Queen’s University Belfast, Institute of Clinical Science B, Royal Victoria HospitalCentre for Public Health, Queen’s University Belfast, Institute of Clinical Science B, Royal Victoria HospitalAbstract Background Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is associated with specific challenges, including heterogeneity in clinical presentation and a less favourable prognosis relative to other dementia subtypes. These challenges necessitate person-centred care informed by the perspectives of those affected by DLB. This scoping review aimed to map the extent, type, and nature of research focusing on the perspectives of individuals with DLB and their care partners. Methods and results We searched six databases and two grey literature sources to identify all types of work providing information on the perspectives of individuals with DLB and/or their care partners. Two reviewers independently applied study selection criteria. Data from eligible articles were extracted, charted, and summarised using descriptive numerical analysis and basic qualitative content analysis. The review included 140 sources, of which 89.3% were research articles. Excluding non-structured reflections and commentary articles (n = 4), 68.4% of sources were quantitative and 65.4% were cross-sectional. The most common method of collecting perspective data was standardised measures assessing multidimensional concepts, such as caregiver burden. In total, 13 topics were identified, with ‘emotional and psychological well-being’ (n = 64) being the most widely investigated. There was a significant gap before the next most common topic: ‘perspectives related to the symptom and illness experience’ (n = 34). Conclusion While a range of methods was identified in this review, the evidence base is characterised by a predominance of standardised measures, with comparatively less use of qualitative approaches or non-standardised tools incorporating bespoke questions tailored to the study population. There was a disproportionate focus on specific topics, leading to research gaps. We recommend exploring novel methods to systematically capture perspectives in DLB cohorts, particularly on topics of highest priority to those affected.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13195-025-01760-4Dementia with Lewy bodiesScoping reviewLewy body dementiaPerspectivesDementia
spellingShingle Paula Sinead Donnelly
Aoife Sweeney
Anthony P. Passmore
Noleen K. McCorry
Joseph P. M. Kane
Research on the perspectives of people affected by dementia with Lewy bodies: a scoping review
Alzheimer’s Research & Therapy
Dementia with Lewy bodies
Scoping review
Lewy body dementia
Perspectives
Dementia
title Research on the perspectives of people affected by dementia with Lewy bodies: a scoping review
title_full Research on the perspectives of people affected by dementia with Lewy bodies: a scoping review
title_fullStr Research on the perspectives of people affected by dementia with Lewy bodies: a scoping review
title_full_unstemmed Research on the perspectives of people affected by dementia with Lewy bodies: a scoping review
title_short Research on the perspectives of people affected by dementia with Lewy bodies: a scoping review
title_sort research on the perspectives of people affected by dementia with lewy bodies a scoping review
topic Dementia with Lewy bodies
Scoping review
Lewy body dementia
Perspectives
Dementia
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13195-025-01760-4
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