title: The first therapeutic game specifically designed and evaluated for Alzheimer's disease.
abstract: The first therapeutic game specifically developed for Alzheimer's disease was evaluated on an NIH grant. It was hypothesized that the game would have a positive influence on factors influencing quality of life (eg, mood, pleasure, interest in activities) and family comfort level in visiting. The study used a single group, within-participants, design, and 2 control conditions including a family visit as usual. The Observed Emotion Rating Scale for assessing individuals with Alzheimer's disease was administered with a questionnaire for the family to provide their own evaluation. Reduction of signs of depression/sadness using the game were statistically significant. An increase in patient pleasure was highly significant (P < .0001). Increases in patient interest, patient satisfaction, and family member satisfaction were all highly significant (P < .0001). The qualitative appeal of the game to family members was very high. The game provides a meaningful one-on-one intervention for individuals with advanced dementia.
authors.affiliation: Center on Aging, Health & Humanities, The George Washington University, Kensington, Maryland 20895, USA. GENCOWDC@aol.com
authors.forename: Gene D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.forename: Kimberly M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Firth
authors.forename: Sue
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Biddle
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Lloyd Lewis
authors.forename: Samuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Simmens
mesh_terms: D000339:Affect / Q000502:physiology; D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003704:Dementia / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D003863:Depression / Q000628:therapy; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013811:Psychotherapeutic Processes; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome