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Clinical Trial
. 2003 Sep:183:248-54.
doi: 10.1192/bjp.183.3.248.

Efficacy of an evidence-based cognitive stimulation therapy programme for people with dementia: randomised controlled trial

Aimee Spector  1 , Lene Thorgrimsen, Bob Woods, Lindsay Royan, Steve Davies, Margaret Butterworth, Martin Orrell
Affiliations
Clinical Trial

Efficacy of an evidence-based cognitive stimulation therapy programme for people with dementia: randomised controlled trial

Aimee Spector et al. Br J Psychiatry. 2003 Sep.

Abstract

Background: A recent Cochrane review of reality orientation therapy identified the need for large, well-designed, multi-centre trials.

Aims: To test the hypothesis that cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) for older people with dementia would benefit cognition and quality of life.

Method: A single-blind, multi-centre, randomised controlled trial recruited 201 older people with dementia. The main outcome measures were change in cognitive function and quality of life. An intention-to-treat analysis used analysis of covariance to control for potential variability in baseline measures.

Results: One hundred and fifteen people were randomised within centres to the intervention group and 86 to the control group. At follow-up the intervention group had significantly improved relative to the control group on the Mini-Mental State Examination (P=0.044), the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale - Cognition (ADAS-Cog) (P=0.014) and Quality of Life - Alzheimer's Disease scales (P=0.028). Using criteria of 4 points or more improvement on the ADAS-Cog the number needed to treat was 6 for the intervention group.

Conclusion: The results compare favourably with trials of drugs for dementia. CST groups may have worthwhile benefits for many people with dementia.

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