A recent Mayo Clinic study published in "Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association" investigated lucid episodes in people living with later stages of dementia, providing insights into how these occurrences reveal themselves.
The findings showed that 75 percent of people having lucid episodes were reported to have Alzheimer's disease as opposed to other forms of dementia.
Researchers define lucid episodes as unexpected, spontaneous, meaningful and relevant communication from a person who is assumed to have permanently lost the capacity for coherent interactions, either verbally or through gestures and actions.
Family caregivers of people living with dementia were surveyed and asked about witnessing lucid episodes. Researchers then classified the episodes into types.
The study aimed to determine if there were distinct patterns or types of lucid episodes that could be used to understand why or when they happen.
"We determined the types of episodes based on the circumstances surrounding the episode, the quality of the communication during the episode, how long it lasted, the level of cognition of the person living with dementia before the episode and the proximity to death," said Joan Griffin, Ph.D., lead author of the study.
The findings revealed that of those having lucid episodes, 61 percent were women, with 31 percent living in the same household as the caregiver who responded to the survey.
"We know these lucid episodes are happening, but we didn't know if there are different types of episodes that happen at different times or under different circumstances," Griffin said. "This study helped clarify that different types of episodes likely exist."
Contrary to findings from previous research, the conclusions of this study challenge the idea that lucid episodes may signal impending death.
"It's important for people to know that these are not necessarily harbingers for death," Griffin said. "I think people can get anxious when they happen, so it's good to know that there are different kinds of episodes that don't necessarily mean death is imminent."
Griffin said researchers now are conducting a longitudinal study to better understand lucid episodes and how caregivers react to them and take meaning from them. Longitudinal studies allow researchers to track changes or behaviors over time and to identify any relationships between these changes.
"With this new study, we'll be able to understand better what patterns exist and determine the consequences of the episode over time," Griffin said.
Griffin underscored the need to understand these episodes to help caregivers with their work and remind them of the cognitive and emotional potential of people living with dementia.
"Caregivers of people living with dementia must manage a long list of challenges and it can be overwhelming," Griffin said. "Perhaps understanding these episodes can help lighten that load."
"We have found in our research and stories from caregivers that these kinds of episodes change how they interact with and support their loved ones -- usually for the better," she added. "These episodes can serve as reminders that caregiving is challenging, but we can always try to care with a little more humanity and grace."
The Mayo Clinic Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery supported this research. Review the study for a complete list of authors, disclosures and funding.