Implementation of a cognitive stimulation program for people with alzheimer disease: A pilot study in a chilean elderly sample Implementación de un programa de estimulación cognitiva en personas con demencia tipo alzheimer: Un estudio piloto en chilenos d

Abstract

Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) is a psychosocial intervention for people with dementia that has been successful in Anglo-Saxon population. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of CST in a sample of Chilean elders. The participants were 22 patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease (AD) in mild to moderate stage, who were living in a residential care home in the town of Quillota, Chile. In order to determine the effectiveness of the program, an experimental mixed design 2×2 (repeated measures) was employed. The sample was randomly assigned into two groups: intervention group (IG) and control group (CG). Three dimensions were assessed: cognition, quality of life and functional ability. After the intervention, the IG presented a significant improvement in their cognitive function and quality life. In contrast, the CG did not show positive changes in any dimension. In fact, CG showed a worsening in its cognitive deterioration. Both groups did not showed significant c