Effectiveness of Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) for mild to moderate dementia: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis of randomised control trials using the original CST protocol

Abstract

Aims: We aimed to conduct a systematic literature review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of the original 14 session Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) protocol in improving cognitive function and related outcomes in people with mild to moderate dementia.

Methods: Four databases were searched, up to May 2023, for randomized controlled trials of CST using the original protocol. Pre- and post-test means and measures of dispersion for intervention and control groups were extracted for each reported outcome and used to calculate effect sizes. Effect sizes were grouped by outcome and pooled in inverse variance weighted random effects models.

Results: Twelve studies were identified as meeting inclusion criteria. Of these, ten were given either a 'high' or 'medium' quality rating. The pooled results indicated that CST had a significant beneficial impact on global cognition, language, working memory, depression, neuropsychiatric symptoms, communication, self-reported quality of life and severity of dementia.

Conclusions: CST as delivered in adherence to the original 14-session protocol is an efficacious treatment for mild to moderate dementia with improvements in cognition, affective symptoms and quality of life demonstrated from global trials.

Keywords: Cognitive function; Cognitive stimulation therapy; Mild to moderate dementia; Psycho-social interventions; Quality of life.