Home Cognitive Stimulation Activity in Thai Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment and Mild Dementia

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundThis study aims to investigate the characteristics of home cognitive stimulation activities for Thai patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and mild dementia.MethodA cross‐sectional, questionnaire‐based study was conducted on Thai patients with the diagnosis of MCI and mild dementia. Patients’ characteristics, ability to use IT device or telecommunication technology, and home cognitive stimulation activities were collected. All activities were divided and calculated into sub‐scores of cognitive, religion‐related, and physical activities according to its frequency.ResultThere were 157 patients with a mean age of 76.2±7.9 years, 65.6% were female. 46.5% were diagnosed with MCI, and 53.5% with mild dementia. 47.1% had a graduate or higher degree. The mean MoCA score was 20.8±4.7. 51% of patients were able to use IT devices (smartphones, tablets, or computers). Patients with MCI were able to use IT devices more than patients with mild dementia (79.5% vs. 26.2%, p<0.001). As many as 29.3% of them were able to use a teleconference technology such as video call or Zoom application. Among the 25 home cognitive stimulation activities collected (excluding watching television), only 7 activities that participants ≥30% rated as frequent (≥3 days per week) were doing chores (63.1%), working out (51.0%), listening to music (50.3%), praying (43.3%), reading (38.2%), cooking (33.1%), and texting via mobile (31.8%). The activities they engaged the least were playing cards, board games, doing crossword puzzles, and drawing (rated as frequent 0.6%). Compared with patients with mild dementia, patients with MCI exhibited higher scores in all sub‐scores (all p<0.01). The cognitive activity sub‐score had an inverse correlation with the patient’s age and geriatric depression scale (r = ‐0.340 and ‐0.171, both p<0.05). Patients who were able to use smart devices or video call/conference applications were found to be more likely to have higher scores in every activity sub‐scores (all p<0.01).ConclusionIn this study, Thai patients had limited home activities, particularly those with dementia. However, about half of them were able to use IT devices, which may correlate with a higher cognitive activity score. Thai individuals with MCI or mild dementia may have room for improvement in the cognitive intervention delivered at home via teleconference.