Virtual Cognitive Stimulation Therapy for dementia: The development, feasibility and initial outcomes of a global framework

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundGroup Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) is the most widely implemented post‐diagnostic intervention for dementia in the UK (Perkins et al, 2022). This presentation describes the development and initial testing of a virtual group Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (vCST) programme for people with dementia, developed as a result of services moving online during the COVID‐19 pandemic and a general increase in teletherapies.MethodThe vCST protocol was developed using the existing group CST manual, through stakeholder consultation with people living with dementia, caregivers, CST group facilitators and dementia service managers. This protocol was then field‐tested with ten groups of people living with dementia in the Brazil, China (Hong Kong), India, Ireland and the UK, and feedback on the protocol was gathered from 14 facilitators. Finally, the vCST programme was delivered to people with dementia in India (n = 15), Brazil (n = 44) and the UK (n = 24).ResultsField testing in five countries indicated acceptability to group facilitators and participants. Feedback from these groups was used to refine the developed protocol. Initial qualitative findings from the UK study and quantitative findings from India, Brazil and the UK will be presented, demonstrating the feasibility, acceptability and perceived benefits of these virtual groups.ConclusionThe final vCST protocol is proposed, including session materials for delivery of CST over video conferencing and a framework for offering CST virtually in global settings. vCST is an acceptable online intervention for many people living with dementia globally. We recommend that it is offered to those unable to access traditional in‐person CST, for example for health reasons and lack of transport or COVID‐19 restrictions. Many services have indicated plans to continue vCST long‐term, hence further research is needed to explore if participant outcomes are comparable to in‐person CST groups.Reference: Perkins, L., Fisher, E., Felstead, C., Rooney, C., Wong, G. H., Dai, R., … & Spector, A. (2022). Delivering Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) Virtually: Developing and Field‐Testing a New Framework. Clinical Interventions in Aging, 17, 97.