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. 2017 Oct-Dec;11(4):434-441.
doi: 10.1590/1980-57642016dn11-040014.

Efficacy of cognitive stimulation therapy for older adults with vascular dementia

Federica Piras  1 , Elena Carbone  2 , Silvia Faggian  3 , Elisa Salvalaio  3 , Simona Gardini  4 , Erika Borella  2
Affiliations

Efficacy of cognitive stimulation therapy for older adults with vascular dementia

Federica Piras et al. Dement Neuropsychol. 2017 Oct-Dec.

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

Background: Cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) is an evidence-based psychosocial intervention for people with mild-to-moderate dementia due to various etiological factors.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to assess the efficacy of the CST program, Italian adaptation -CST-IT-, in individuals who have vascular dementia (VaD).

Methods: Older adults with mild-to-moderate VaD (N = 35) were assigned to one of two programs: one group (N = 21) attended the 14 sessions of the CST-IT program, while the other, active control group (N = 14) took part in alternative activities. The following domains were examined: cognitive functioning, quality of life, mood, behavior, functional activities of daily living.

Results: Compared with the active controls, the CST-IT group showed a greater improvement in general cognitive functioning after the intervention (i.e. score increase on the Mini-Mental State Examination and decrease on the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale - Cognitive subscale). A trend towards improvement was also identified in short-term/working memory - the backward digit span task- and perceived quality of life (Quality of Life - Alzheimer's Disease scale). No significant differences emerged between the two groups for the other domains considered.

Conclusion: The present results support the efficacy of CST in people with vascular dementia.

Introdução: A terapia de estimulação cognitiva (TSC) é uma intervenção psicossocial baseada em evidências para pessoas com demência leve a moderada resultante de vários fatores etiológicos.

Objetivo: O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a eficácia do programa TSC, adaptação italiana -TSC-IT-, com indivíduos com demência vascular (DV).

Métodos: Os idosos com DV leve a moderada (N = 35) foram atribuídos a um dos dois programas: um grupo (N = 21) frequentou as 14 sessões do programa TSC-IT, enquanto o outro, grupo de controle ativo (N = 14) participaram de atividades alternativas. Os seguintes domínios foram examinados: funcionamento cognitivo, qualidade de vida, humor, comportamento, atividades funcionais da vida diária.

Resultados: Em comparação com os controles ativos, o grupo TSC-IT mostrou uma maior melhora no funcionamento cognitivo geral após a intervenção (ou seja, um aumento nos escores de Mini-exame do estado mental e uma diminuição na Escala de avaliação da doença de Alzheimer – subescala cognitiva). Uma tendência para uma melhoria também foi identificada na memória de curto prazo/trabalho – a tarefa de extensão de dígitos atrasados ​​– e a qualidade de vida percebida (Quality of Life - escala da doença de Alzheimer). Não houve diferenças significativas entre os dois grupos nos outros domínios considerados.

Conclusão: Os resultados atuais suportam a eficácia do TSC em pessoas com demência vascular.

Keywords: cognitive stimulation therapy (CST); general cognitive functioning; quality of life; vascular dementia.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure: The authors report no conflits of interest.

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