A pilot study examining the effectiveness of maintenance Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (MCST) for people with dementia

✍ Scribed by Martin Orrell; Aimee Spector; Lene Thorgrimsen; Bob Woods

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2005
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 78 KB
• Volume: 20
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0885-6230
• DOI: 10.1002/gps.1304

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

Background

A recent randomised controlled trial on Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) identified the need to evaluate its more long‐term benefits for people with dementia. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a weekly maintenance CST programme for people with dementia in residential care.

Method

Thirty‐five people with dementia were included, following on from a seven‐week twice‐weekly study of CST. The maintenance CST sessions ran in two residential homes using a once a week programme of CST over an additional 16 weeks. Two control homes did not receive the maintenance intervention.

Results

Using repeated measures ANOVAS, there was a continuous, significant improvement in cognitive function (MMSE) for those receiving MCST (CST+maintenance CST sessions) as compared to CST alone or no treatment (p = 0.012). There were no effects on quality of life, behaviour or communication following maintenance sessions. The initial cognitive improvements following CST were only sustained at follow‐up when followed by the programme of maintenance CST sessions.

Conclusions

The cognitive benefits of CST can be maintained by weekly sessions for around 6 months. A large‐scale, multi‐centre maintenance CST trial is required to clarify potential longer‐term benefits of maintenance CST for dementia. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.