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Efficacy of a cognitive stimulation therapy programme for people with dementia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

Robert F Coen ,
Bronagh Flynn ,
Edel Rigney ,
Elaine O'Connor ,
Liza Fitzgerald ,
Ciaran Murray ,
Catherine Dunleavy ,
Mindy McDonald ,
Deirdre Delaney  and
Niamh Merriman
...Show all authors
Robert F Coen*
Affiliation:
Mercer's Institute For Research On Ageing, St James's Hospital, Dublin 8
Bronagh Flynn
Affiliation:
Occupational Therapy Dept, St James's Hospital, Dublin 8
Edel Rigney
Affiliation:
Occupational Therapy Dept, St James's Hospital, Dublin 8
Elaine O'Connor
Affiliation:
Occupational Therapy Dept, St James's Hospital, Dublin 8
Liza Fitzgerald
Affiliation:
Occupational Therapy Dept, St James's Hospital, Dublin 8
Ciaran Murray
Affiliation:
Occupational Therapy Dept, St James's Hospital, Dublin 8
Catherine Dunleavy
Affiliation:
Tara Winthrop Private Nursing Home, Dublin
Mindy McDonald
Affiliation:
Tara Winthrop Private Nursing Home, Dublin
Deirdre Delaney
Affiliation:
Psychology Dept, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9
Niamh Merriman
Affiliation:
Occupational TherapyDept, St James's Hospital, Dublin 8
Jennifer Edgeworth
Affiliation:
Psychology Dept, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, Ireland
*
*Correspondence Email: rcoen@stjames.ie
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Abstract

Objectives: Cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) has been shown to produce improvements in cognition and quality of life which compare favourably with trials of cholinesterase inhibitors. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of CST, replicating the methods of Spector et al in the British Journal of Psychiatry in 2003 in a smaller sample using a control group engaged in routine activities.

Methods: Eligible participants (mild to moderate dementia; MMSE range 10-23) were randomised to CST group or control conditions. Pre- and post-intervention testing was undertaken by assessors who were blind to condition. Measures included MMSE, CDR (sum of boxes), ADAS-cog, RAID (anxiety), abbreviated GDS (depression), QoL-AD, and the CAPE Behaviour Rating Scale (BRS). Analysis was by non-parametric statistics. Occupational therapists facilitated two sessions per week for seven weeks in two long-term care facilities and the same programme was run by the activity co-ordinator in a nursing home unit.

Results: Fourteen CST and 13 control participants completed the study. Between group difference scores analysis showed that the CST group improved compared to controls on MMSE (Mann-Whitney U = 32, p = 0.013) and on the QoL-AD which just fell short of significant (U=51.5, p = 0.055). Qualitatively, therapists noted that CST participants demonstrated good interaction and enthusiasm in the group environment, with continuity and carryover between sessions.

Conclusions: Even though the sample sizes are small the current study is consistent with the Spector et al's findings in 2003 of beneficial effects in people with dementia following CST. The programme is recommended as an intervention for people with mild to moderate dementia.

Type
Brief Reports
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 28 , Issue 3 , September 2011 , pp. 145 - 147
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2011

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