Cognitive rehabilitation in patients with mild cognitive impairment.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the benefits of a multi-component cognitive rehabilitation programme in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).


METHODS
Patients with MCI (n = 18) and patients with mild dementia in Alzheimer's disease (n = 10) participated in a 4-week cognitive rehabilitation programme in a day clinic setting. The intervention was provided in group format and included activity planning, self-assertiveness training, relaxation techniques, stress management, use of external memory aids, memory training, and motor exercise.


RESULTS
After 4 weeks, MCI patients showed significant improvements on activities of daily living, mood, verbal and nonverbal episodic memory. In contrast, patients with mild dementia exhibited a non-significant increase in verbal memory but no other changes. MCI subjects allocated to the waiting list control condition (n = 12) showed a significant re-test effect on verbal episodic memory, but no improvement of everyday activities or mood.


CONCLUSIONS
The study demonstrates that patients with MCI benefit from a multi-component cognitive rehabilitation programme with regard to activities of daily living, mood, and memory performance.
Kurz
Alexander
A
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universitaet Muenchen, Munich, Germany. alexander.kurz@lrz.tum.de
Pohl
Corina
C
Ramsenthaler
Michaela
M
Sorg
Christian
C
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000339:Affect; D000368:Aged; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003704:Dementia / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D008875:Middle Aged; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis