A pilot study examining the effectiveness of maintenance Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (MCST) for people with dementia.
BACKGROUND
A recent randomised controlled trial on Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) identified the need to evaluate its more long-term benefits for people with dementia. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a weekly maintenance CST programme for people with dementia in residential care.


METHODS
Thirty-five people with dementia were included, following on from a seven-week twice-weekly study of CST. The maintenance CST sessions ran in two residential homes using a once a week programme of CST over an additional 16 weeks. Two control homes did not receive the maintenance intervention.


RESULTS
Using repeated measures ANOVAS, there was a continuous, significant improvement in cognitive function (MMSE) for those receiving MCST (CST+maintenance CST sessions) as compared to CST alone or no treatment (p = 0.012). There were no effects on quality of life, behaviour or communication following maintenance sessions. The initial cognitive improvements following CST were only sustained at follow-up when followed by the programme of maintenance CST sessions.


CONCLUSIONS
The cognitive benefits of CST can be maintained by weekly sessions for around 6 months. A large-scale, multi-centre maintenance CST trial is required to clarify potential longer-term benefits of maintenance CST for dementia.
Orrell
Martin
M
Department of Mental Health Sciences, University College London, UK. n.orrell@ucl.ac.uk
Spector
Aimee
A
Thorgrimsen
Lene
L
Woods
Bob
B
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003071:Cognition; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003704:Dementia / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome