A-116 Impact of Cognitive Stimulation Therapy on Cognitive Functioning and Quality of Life in a Veteran Population

Abstract

Abstract Objective: Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) is a non-pharmacological intervention for dementia. The CST program developed by Spector and colleagues has proven effective in improving quality of life (QoL) and cognition in older adults with dementia. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effectiveness of CST in a veteran population. Method: A clinic-referred sample of veterans who completed a 7-week CST and pre/post-group assessments were selected for this study. This resulted in a sample of 25 male veterans, a majority of whom were diagnosed with a progressive dementia (Mean age = 74.44; Mean education = 13.7; 44% White, 44% Hispanic/Latinx, 8% Black). Paired-samples t-test were used to determine if group participation was associated with improvements in QoL or cognitive functioning. Results: Veterans who participated in the CST group did not demonstrate a significant change in MoCA scores from pre-test (M = 16.63, SD = 3.28) to post-test (M = 17.42, SD = 4.23), (t[23] = −1.44, p = 0.16, Cohen’s d = 0.296) or RBANS total scores from pre-test (M = 61.73, SD = 10.13) to post-test (M = 64.55, SD = 11.28), (t[21] = −1.89, p = 0.07, Cohen’s d = 0.263). Similarly, there was no significant change in QoL as measured by participants from pre-test (M = 35, SD = 7.60) to post-test (M = 36.22, SD = 7.16), (t[22] = −1.30, p = 0.21, Cohen’s d = 0.165) or as measured by a caregiver from pre-test (M = 30, SD = 7.37) to post-test (M = 28.75, SD = 7.46), (t[19] = 0.69, p = 0.50, Cohen’s d = 0.169). Conclusion: While CST did not significantly improve cognition or QoL in a diverse veteran sample, there was a small effect observed on cognitive functioning. Given that dementia is often a progressive disease, even stability of baseline cognition is suggestive of the protective effect of CST.