{
  "id": 9463806,
  "title": "People with dementia want to participate in research, according to study",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/people-with-dementia-want-to-participate-in-research-according-to",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-24T02:00:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Medical Xpress",
    "slug": "medical-xpress",
    "url": "https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-09-people-dementia.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A recent study has found that people living with dementia are eager to participate in research, contrary to previous concerns that such involvement might be too taxing for those with cognitive impairment. Led by professors Eino Solje and Anna Mäki-Petäjä-Leinonen, the research published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease involved 20 individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or another progressive neurocognitive disorder, along with their spouses. The study day included legal interviews, neuropsychological assessments, and a post-study evaluation of participants' experiences. The findings indicate that 90% of participants reported no burden from the process, describing it as positive, interesting, and even refreshing. Participants particularly valued the opportunity to be heard in research concerning their own lives, stating that involvement enabled them to contribute to improving the future situation of people who develop dementia and their families. The study also highlighted the importance of conducting separate interviews with both participants and their caregivers, as this allowed for open discussion and ensured that both perspectives could be heard, particularly on sensitive matters. Researchers emphasize that this multidisciplinary approach, combining legal and medical perspectives, can yield new insights into questions that might be challenging for single-discipline research.",
  "summary": "For a long time, dementia research has been shaped by concerns that participation may be too burdensome for people with cognitive impairment. However, a recent study led by professors Eino Solje and Anna Mäki-Petäjä-Leinonen found the opposite: 90% of participants reported no burden from participating. Many described the experience as positive, interesting and even refreshing.",
  "key_points": [
    "90% of dementia patients found research participation not burdensome",
    "Participants valued being heard in research about their lives",
    "Multidisciplinary approach combined legal and medical perspectives"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}