Cognitive Decline
Conditions
Brief summary
Although data suggest that non-pharmacologic therapies such as Reminiscence Therapy (RT) and Cognitive Stimulation (CS) can potentially maintain or reverse this trend, cognitive impairment can be a precursor to neurodegenerative processes. This study aimed to assess how an RT and a CS program affected cognition, depressive symptomatology, and quality of life (QoL) in older persons with cognitive decline who attended community support institutions in central Portugal. For seven weeks, a quasi-experimental study with two arms (RT and CS program) was conducted. The intervention was completed by 76 of the 109 older persons who were first screened (50 in the RT program, 26 in the CS program). In both groups, a pre- and post-intervention analysis revealed statistically significant differences in cognition, particularly in older adults' delayed recall ability.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALGroup intervention
This intervention was developed during 14 sessions, held twice a week, with a duration of 45 to 60 minutes each. The sessions were developed as group-based interventions, facilitated by a leader and a co-leader from each community institution.
Sponsors
Junta de Freguesia de Santo António dos Olivais
Centro Sociocultural Polivalente de São Martinho
Centro Social e Paroquial de Carapinheira do Campo
Obra Social de Torre de Vilela
Centro Social Paroquial de Pedrulha
Associação Nacional de Apoio ao Idoso
Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Cantanhede
Doce Viver - Residencial Sénior, Bruscos
Paulo Costa
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
TRIPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Outcomes Assessor)
Masking description
Treatment allocation will be done per institution, after a centralized randomization process. Care providers and outcome assessors will be blinded to the allocation process.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
65 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Ability to give informed consent before study commencement; * Ability to participate in group activities for a period between 45 to 60 minutes; * No pronounced impairment of their visual and auditory abilities; * Mild to moderate cognitive decline, assessed as a score equal to or below 20 points in the Six-Item Cognitive Impairment Test (6-CIT).
Exclusion criteria
* Unstable clinical condition; * Prescribed with cholinesterase inhibitors and/or antipsychotics during the study period.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in cognition (person with cognitive decline) | Pre-intervention (baseline) | Measured using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Scale scores vary between 0 and 30 points; higher scores correspond to a higher cognition level. |
| Change in depressive dymptomatology (person with cognitive decline) | Pre-intervention (baseline) | Measured using the 10-items Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-10). Scale scores vary between 0 and 10 points; scores equal or above 2 points correspond to a screening diagnosis of depression. |
| Change in quality of life (person with cognitive decline) | Pre-intervention (baseline) | Measured using the World Health Organization Quality of Life - module for older adults (WHOQOL-OLD-8). Scale scores vary between 8 and 40 points; higher scores correspond to a higher level of quality of life. |
Countries
Portugal
Outcome results
None listed