Efficacy of cognitive stimulation therapy virtual program for older adults with dementia in COVID-19 isolation.

Abstract

BackgroundCognitive stimulation virtual therapy (CSVT) is an evidence‐based psychosocial intervention for people with mild‐to‐moderate dementia due to various etiological factors.ObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to assess the efficacy of a cognitive stimulation virtual therapy CSVT program, in individuals who have vascular or Alzheimer dementia in COVID‐19 isolation.MethodsOlder adults with mild vascular or Alzheimer dementia (N = 20) were assigned to one of two programs: one group (N = 10) attended during six months, two sessions per week program of the cognitive stimulation virtual therapy CSVT program, while the other, active control group (N = 10) took part in alternative activities. The following tests were applied to their primary caregivers. A short form of the Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE) and quality of life (Quality of Life (QoL)ResultsCompared with the active controls, the cognitive stimulation virtual therapy CSVT program showed a greater improvement in general cognitive functioning after the intervention (i.e. score increase on the IQCODE test). A trend towards improvement was also identified in short term/working memory and perceived quality of life (Quality of life (QoL) of elderly with dementia). The primary caregivers also perceived an improvement in mood, stress, anxiety and quality of sleep after the start of the virtual therapy during COVID‐19 isolation.ConclusionThe present results support the efficacy of cognitive stimulation virtual therapy CSVT program in people with dementia during COVID‐19 isolation.