Effectiveness of Visual Images Mnemonic Training on Memory among Alzheimer's Disease Patients at Alzheimer's and related Disorders society of India, Cochin, Kerala

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer’s disease is usually gradual, and it is slowly progressive. Problems of memory, particularly for recent events (short-term memory) are common early in the course of Alzheimer's disease. Visual images mnemonic training is helpful for remembering the past experience in an interesting way with less strain. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness of visual images mnemonic training on memory among Alzheimer’s disease patients. DESIGN: pre experimental design where one group pretest and post test design. SETTING: Alzheimer’s And Related Disorders Society of India (ARDSI) Cochin, Kerala. SAMPLE SIZE: 30 Alzheimer’s disease patients. SAMPLING TECHNIQUE: Purposive sampling technique. METHODS: 30 Alzheimer’s disease patients receive visual images mnemonic training with the duration of 30 -40 minutes for 10 days. Pre test was done by using visual images mnemonic rating scale - Alzheimer’s disease for memory assessment .Post test was done by immediately from the first day after the visual images mnemonic training, followed that every day before and after visual images mnemonic training posttest was conducted for 10 days. Mean value of 19 post test score were considered as one post test value. RESULTS: From the findings of the study it can be concluded that Highest were in the age group of 66-72 years, were females, had family history of dementia, in between 2-3 years duration of illness and history of dementia. The paired‘t’ values was10, when it was high. The difference in the mean percentage was 11%. It seems the visual images mnemonic training on memory among Alzheimer’s disease patients was effective. Chi-square value shows no significant association between demographic variables and post score of memory among Alzheimer’s disease patients. CONCLUSION. The visual images mnemonic training was effective on memory among Alzheimer’s disease patients. But mild difference in effectiveness was found in address when compare to body parts and significant places.