Abstract
To determine the usefulness of a formal, structured, nonpharmacological treatment for apathetic dementia patients. A controlled, cross-over, randomized, simple-blind, multicentre clinical trial. A total of 146 institutionalized or day care dementia patients with a stage 1 or 2 Clinical Dementia Rating, with no significant motor or sensory problems, or with rapidly evolving dementia and in a clinically stable state were recruited. A cognitive mini examination, and functional, depression, and potential toxicity scales, Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI-Q), and Dementia Apathy Interview and Rating (DAIR) scales were applied at baseline. Patients were randomized to initial intervention (music and art therapy and psychomotor activity) or initial control (free activities in the day room) and changed over at 4 weeks. NPI-Q and DAIR scales were administered at the end of weeks 4 and 8. A significant difference between intervention and control periods, as measured using the DAIR scale, was observed, with a difference of 0.21 (95% confidence interval: 0.07-0.34, P<0.005). The difference was very important in the patients with moderated apathy. However, differences were not so important in the patients with severe apathy and there were no differences at all in the non-apathetic patients. No significant differences were found with the NPI-Q scale, although there was a clear improvement trend in the "apathy" question on this scale. This effect seems to extend beyond the therapeutic intervention period. A structured, nonpharmacological, short-term occupational therapy intervention is more useful than activities of the patients' own choice for improving apathy in patients with mild or moderate dementia.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.