Cognitive Stimulation As a Therapeutic Modality for Dementia: A Meta-Analysis

Overview

Journal Psychiatry Investig

Specialty Psychiatry

Date 2017 Oct 19

PMID 29042888

Citations 12

Authors

Kayoung Kim

Ji Won Han

Yoonseop So

Jiyeong Seo

You Joung Kim

Joon Hyuk Park

Seok Bum Lee

Jung Jae Lee

Hyun-Ghang Jeong

Tae Hui Kim

Ki Woong Kim

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objective: Although cognitive stimulation (CS) is one of the most popular non-pharmacological interventions for people with dementia, its efficacy is still debatable. We performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the efficacy of CS in people with dementia.

Methods: Data sources were identified by searching PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, psychINFO, and Cochrane Reviews Library. A total of 7,354 articles were identified, and of these, 30 RCTs were selected based on the selection criteria. Of these 30 RCTs, 14 were finally included in our meta-analysis [731 participants with dementia; 412 received CS (CS group) and 319 received usual care (control group)].

Results: We found that the people with dementia had a moderate benefit from CS. The mean difference between the CS and control groups was 2.21 [95% CI (0.93, 3.49), Z=3.38, p=0.00007] in the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognition and 1.41 [95% CI (0.98, 1.84), Z=6.39, p<0.00001] in the Mini-Mental State Examination. CS also improved quality of life in people with dementia [95% CI (0.72, 3.38), Z=3.02, p=0.003].

Conclusion: CS is effective for improving cognition and quality of life in people with dementia; however, its effects were small to moderate.

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