TY - JOUR
T1 - Cognitive stimulation therapy in the Italian context
T2 - Its efficacy in cognitive and non-cognitive measures in older adults with dementia
AU - Capotosto, Emanuela
AU - Belacchi, Carmen
AU - Gardini, Simona
AU - Faggian, Silvia
AU - Piras, Federica
AU - Mantoan, Vanessa
AU - Salvalaio, Elisa
AU - Pradelli, Samantha
AU - Borella, Erika
PY - 2016
Y1 - 2016
N2 - Objective: Cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) has been shown to have significant benefits in enhancing cognitive functioning and improving the quality of life of people with mild to moderate dementia. The present study examines the efficacy of the Italian version of the therapy (CST-IT). Methods: Older adults with mild to moderate dementia (n=39) were randomly assigned to two programs: one group participated in the CST-IT, consisting of 14 sessions (twice a week for 7weeks) and the active control group took part in alternative general activities. The outcome measures were cognitive functioning (measured by the Mini-Mental State Examination-MMSE-, the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment scale-cognitive subscale, the backward digit span test, and a narrative language test); quality of life (Quality of life--Alzheimer's Disease scale); mood (Cornell scale for depression in dementia and the social and emotional loneliness scale); functional activities in daily living (Disability Assessment for Dementia); and behavior (neuropsychiatric inventory). Results: After the intervention, only the CST-IT group maintained its MMSE score, while the control group displayed deterioration. The CST-IT group also performed better in some of the cognitive measures (Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive subscale and narrative language), mood measures (Cornell scale, social and emotional loneliness scale with a decrease in reported loneliness), and the Quality of life--Alzheimer's Disease scale. No other treatment effect was observed. Conclusions: The findings confirm the efficacy, at least in the short term, of the CST in sustaining cognitive functions and perceived quality of life in older adults with dementia in the Italian care setting as well.
AB - Objective: Cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) has been shown to have significant benefits in enhancing cognitive functioning and improving the quality of life of people with mild to moderate dementia. The present study examines the efficacy of the Italian version of the therapy (CST-IT). Methods: Older adults with mild to moderate dementia (n=39) were randomly assigned to two programs: one group participated in the CST-IT, consisting of 14 sessions (twice a week for 7weeks) and the active control group took part in alternative general activities. The outcome measures were cognitive functioning (measured by the Mini-Mental State Examination-MMSE-, the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment scale-cognitive subscale, the backward digit span test, and a narrative language test); quality of life (Quality of life--Alzheimer's Disease scale); mood (Cornell scale for depression in dementia and the social and emotional loneliness scale); functional activities in daily living (Disability Assessment for Dementia); and behavior (neuropsychiatric inventory). Results: After the intervention, only the CST-IT group maintained its MMSE score, while the control group displayed deterioration. The CST-IT group also performed better in some of the cognitive measures (Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive subscale and narrative language), mood measures (Cornell scale, social and emotional loneliness scale with a decrease in reported loneliness), and the Quality of life--Alzheimer's Disease scale. No other treatment effect was observed. Conclusions: The findings confirm the efficacy, at least in the short term, of the CST in sustaining cognitive functions and perceived quality of life in older adults with dementia in the Italian care setting as well.
KW - Cognitive functioning
KW - Cognitive stimulation therapy
KW - Dementia
KW - Quality of life
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U2 - 10.1002/gps.4521
DO - 10.1002/gps.4521
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84995527877
JO - International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry
JF - International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry
SN - 0885-6230
ER -