Effects of care partner type on outcomes from a multicomponent behavioral intervention for mild cognitive impairment

INTRODUCTION: Multicomponent non-pharmacological interventions, such as the HABIT Healthy Action to Benefit Independence & Thinking® program, have shown promise for improving emotional well-being, functioning, and self-efficacy in both people with mild cognitive impairment (pwMCI) and their care partners. However, limited research has examined whether outcomes differ based on type of care partner who co-enrolls with the pwMCI. METHODS: We analyzed data from 875 pwMCI−care partner dyads who completed the HABIT program. Multivariate linear mixed-effects regression models evaluated changes from baseline in outcomes by care partner type (spouse vs. non-spouse) at post-intervention, 6-months, and 12- months. RESULTS: At post-intervention, pwMCI with spousal care partners demonstrated significant improvements across all outcomes from baseline, whereas those with non-spousal partners improved in five out of seven outcomes. Across subsequent follow-ups, pwMCI with spousal care partners showed sustained mean reductions in anxiety (post-intervention: −2.0; 12-month: −0.9) and increased compliance (post-intervention: 5.7; 12-month: 0.9). Everyday functioning in memory (post-intervention: −0.9; 12-months: 1.8) and executive functioning (post-intervention: −0.7; 12-months: 4.8) improved at post-intervention but declined thereafter. Spousal care partners reported reduced anxiety (−1.2) and depression (−1.3) at post-intervention, but by 12-months they experienced increased burden, anxiety, and depression relative to baseline. Non-spousal pwMCI–care partner dyads did not show significant change at 6 or 12-months. DISCUSSION: The HABIT intervention may have more favorable outcomes for pwMCI and care partners in spousal compared to non-spousal dyads. These findings highlight the potential impact of care partner characteristics on both immediate and long-term response to behavioral interventions for MCI. Highlights: At post-intervention, people with mild cognitive impairment (pwMCI) with spousal care partners showed significant improvements across all outcomes, while those with non-spousal partners improved in five of seven outcomes. Gains attenuated over time for both spousal and non-spousal dyads Spousal care partners reported reduced anxiety and depression at post-intervention, but by 12 months they experienced increased burden, anxiety, and depression relative to baseline. Non-spousal pwMCI–care partner dyads did not show significant change at 6 or 12 months.