title: Effectiveness of an individualized functional training program on affective disturbances and functional skills in mild and moderate dementia--a randomized control trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We reported the findings of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to examine the effects of an individualized functional enhancement program (FEP) on functional skills and mood symptoms in mild and moderate dementia.
  
  
  METHODS
  74 Chinese older persons with dementia were recruited into a skills training program by occupational therapists (OT). Thirty seven subjects were trained with an individualized selection of daily activities (FEP Intervention, I); 37 were trained with general occupational therapy (Control, C). The FEP comprised of twice weekly group sessions of skills training and problem solving using cognitive behavioral approach.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At 1 month after completion of program, both I and C subjects showed an improvement in process skills of the assessment of motor and process skills (AMPS)(paired t-tests, p < 0.05). At 4 months post-program, the I group showed a further reduction of cornell scale for depression in dementia (CSDD) scores (paired t-test, p = 0.02); Apathy improved at 1 month post-training (p = 0.04), but deteriorated at 4 months (p = 0.01). Group differences in changes of mood and functional scores were not significant (ANVOCA, p > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings suggested a potential benefit for individualized occupational therapy. It should be tailor made with individual needs and continued for sustained effectiveness.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. cwlam@cuhk.edu.hk
authors: Linda C W
authors: LC
authors: Lam
authors: Victor W C
authors: VW
authors: Lui
authors: Daisy N Y
authors: DN
authors: Luk
authors: Rachel
authors: R
authors: Chau
authors: Clifton
authors: C
authors: So
authors: Vickie
authors: V
authors: Poon
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Tam
authors: Raymond
authors: R
authors: Ching
authors: Henry
authors: H
authors: Lo
authors: Julian
authors: J
authors: Chiu
authors: Ada
authors: A
authors: Fung
authors: Flora S L
authors: FS
authors: Ko
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D057565:Apathy; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003704:Dementia / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011597:Psychomotor Performance