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A program of SUPPORT-D TM : Feasibility and acceptability of an early palliative care intervention for those living with dementia and caregivers
Diana M. Layne, Teresa Kelechi, Nicholas J. Milano, Mohan Madisetti, Kathleen Oare Lindell. Palliative & Supportive Care, 2026-01-01
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
Abstract Objectives Persons living with dementia (PLWD) and their caregivers (CG) face a complex disease trajectory, which includes a multitude of challenges related to identifying credible health resources, access to services, and securing emotional support. Scalable, sustainable interventions that guide recently diagnosed PLWD and CG are desperately needed to minimize unnecessary burden and improve quality of life. This article describes the feasibility and acceptability of an early virtual palliative care intervention (SUPPORT-D TM ) for use among PLWD with mild Cognitive Impairment or Alzheimer’s disease and their CG. Methods Using a quasi-experimental design, this 6-week prospective feasibility study was conducted among 28 (PLWD/CG) dyads and 2 individual CG. Eligibility criteria for PLWD included those with mild cognitive impairment (FAST score ≥4). SUPPORT-D TM comprises 4 main areas of guided support: 1) understanding the disease, 2) caring for myself, 3) caring for the caregiver, and 4) planning for the future. Outcome data were collected pre/post and during the intervention. Semi-structured interviews were conducted post intervention with 10 dyads. This study was approved by the Medical University of South Carolina IRB and data were collected from January 2023 to March 2024. Results Seventy-six percent (23/30) of enrolled dyads successfully completed the study. PLWD and CG scores on validated measures of acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility indicated SUPPORT-D TM was acceptable, appropriate, and feasible. Post-intervention interview feedback further evidenced the acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of SUPPORT-D TM . Significance of results Delivery of this virtual nurse-led early palliative care intervention (a Program of SUPPORT-D TM ) was feasible for both PLWD and their CGs. A Program of SUPPORT-D TM has potential as a feasible intervention to provide anticipatory guidance to community-dwelling PLWD and CG. Participants endorsed inclusion of additional content specific to physical activity, stress management, and social support as helpful refinements for future delivery.
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
APA 7th
Layne, D. M., Kelechi, T., Milano, N. J., Madisetti, M., & Lindell, K. O. (2026). A program of SUPPORT-D TM : Feasibility and acceptability of an early palliative care intervention for those living with dementia and caregivers. Palliative & Supportive Care. https://doi.org/10.1017/s1478951525101429
Vancouver
Layne DM, Kelechi T, Milano NJ, Madisetti M, Lindell KO. A program of SUPPORT-D TM : Feasibility and acceptability of an early palliative care intervention for those living with dementia and caregivers. Palliative & Supportive Care. 2026. doi:10.1017/s1478951525101429. PMID: 41498161.
BibTeX
@article{layne2026-41498161,
author = {Layne, Diana M. and Kelechi, Teresa and Milano, Nicholas J. and Madisetti, Mohan and Lindell, Kathleen Oare},
title = {{A program of SUPPORT-D TM : Feasibility and acceptability of an early palliative care intervention for those living with dementia and caregivers}},
journal = {Palliative \& Supportive Care},
year = {2026},
doi = {10.1017/s1478951525101429},
pmid = {41498161},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1017/s1478951525101429}
}
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
Key findings
- Results Seventy-six percent (23/30) of enrolled dyads successfully completed the study.
- Significance of results Delivery of this virtual nurse-led early palliative care intervention (a Program of SUPPORT-D TM ) was feasible for both PLWD and their CGs.
Why it matters
This small 6-week feasibility study found that a virtual nurse-led early palliative care intervention was feasible for people living with dementia and their caregivers, with 76% of enrolled dyads completing the study. It tested feasibility and acceptability only, not whether the intervention improves outcomes.
Study details
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 35/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, sample size, effect reported, studied in people and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Palliative & Supportive Care) |
| Journal's citation record | 1 / 4 | Palliative & Supportive Care: journal h-index 85 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 5 / 5 | 2026 — within 1 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 1 / 7 | Cited 1 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 0 / 5 | 0.5 citations a year over 2 year(s) since 2026 |
| Impact for its field and year | 3 / 6 | Cited 6.4× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 0 / 6 | No other study in this library cites it |
| Still being cited | 0 / 4 | Cited 1 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 2 / 4 | Last-listed author Kathleen Oare Lindell: h-index 32 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 1 / 3 | Medical University of South Carolina: institution h-index 715 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 0 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 1 institution(s) in 1 country — scores zero (affiliation lists can be incomplete) |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 41498161) |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 35 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
- DOI: 10.1017/s1478951525101429
- PubMed: 41498161
- Original source →
- Free full text: Palliative & Supportive Care →
Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).
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