Cognitive Stimulation Therapy for people with dementia
19.11.2021
Published in The Journals of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences, the clinical study coordinated by Prof Erika Borella of the Department of General Psychology at the University of Padua in collaboration with Elena Carbone and Margherita Vincenzi is entitled Cognitive Stimulation Therapy for Older Adults With Mild-to-Moderate Dementia in Italy: Effects on Cognitive Functioning, and on Emotional and Neuropsychiatric Symptoms.
Over 50 million people around the world are now living with dementia. Dementia is a neurocognitive disorder characterized by a progressive cognitive decline in mood, behavior, personality traits, and daily living functional loss. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of an Italian adaptation of the Cognitive Stimulation Therapy protocol for people with mild-to-moderate dementia. With over five years of research and 225 participants with mild-to-moderate dementia, the study included subjects from 16 different residential care facilities in northern and central-southern Italy.
In addition to pharmacological treatment, scientists have begun developing non-pharmacological psychosocial interventions. Promising results of these psychosocial interventions demonstrate a slowing down in the course of the disorder, or at least, not contributing to its progression. First developed in the UK, Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CTS) protocols are currently among the most effective cognitive stimulation interventions for people with mild-to-moderate dementia. The evidence-based CTS protocols, and used in at least 29 countries worldwide, including Italy. Cognitive and sensory stimulation activities are selected and combined with the most effective elements of other psychosocial interventions. CST group sessions engage participants in various enjoyable therapeutic activities, taking a respectful and sensitive person-centered approach. Activities focus on offering a gentle approach to reality orientation through reminiscence and multisensory stimulation. This approach allows researchers to recognize the value and resources of the individual beyond the symptoms with which the disorder manifests itself.
The results confirmed the effectiveness of the Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) protocol in supporting general cognitive functioning, and more specifically, verbal and communication skills.
