Results from the ‘‘Healthy Mind’’ Intervention Program

Abstract

<h3>Research Objectives</h3> To present the theoritical framework that supports the use of the Healthy Mind intervention as part of a systematic psychosocial and cognitive treatment program for older adults. To present the effectiveness of the intervention program in a group of older adults in Cyprus. <h3>Design</h3> Semi-experimental design with random assignment into the two groups. Pre post assessment and follow up testing was conducted at study completion, 4 weeks and 12 weeks with the training specific dependent measures (Memory Compensation Strategies (MCS), Problem Solving (PS), Emotion Regulation (ER) and Locus of Control (LOC). All participants underwent a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment to determine the level of cognitive functionality. <h3>Setting</h3> General community. <h3>Participants</h3> The experiment group included 30 healthy participants (Age, M=69.03, SD=3.4; Education, M=11.73, SD=2.1) and 30 healthy control participants, (Age, M=70.12, SD=3.51; Education M=11.7, SD=2.0). <h3>Interventions</h3> Healthy Mind intervention it's a systematic psychosocial and cognitive treatment program for older adults. This intervention has a strong educational focus that promote a more realistic understanding of cognitive aging and relevant contextual factors (e.g., health, lifestyle, beliefs). Furthermore use active components of skills development like emotion regulation, memory compensation strategies, problem solving skills and increase internal locus of control. <h3>Main Outcome Measures</h3> Memory Compensation Strategies (MCS), Problem Solving (PS), Emotion Regulation (ER) and Locus of Control (LOC). <h3>Results</h3> Mixed MANOVA (a = .05) comparing the two groups revealed significant improvement for the treated group after 10 weeks of training on MCS, PS, ER and LOC. Repeated measure ANOVAS showed significant training effects for intervention group p < .000. This improvement was maintained at the follow-ups. (p<.000). <h3>Conclusions</h3> The preliminary results from this group intervention implementing a multi-dimensional intervention program suggest that the intervention is both feasible and effective. Treated participants demonstrated improvement in the use of memory compensatory strategies, problem solving, emotion regulation and increased internal locus of control. Implications for rehabilitation will be presented. <h3>Author(s) Disclosures</h3> None.