title: Randomised controlled pilot study in Japan comparing a home visit program using a Functioning Improvement Tool with a home visit with conversation alone.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to determine the effect of a home visit program using a Functioning Improvement Tool (FIT) compared with a home visit using conversation alone.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-eight participants (mean age, 78.6 ± 7.5 years) were randomly assigned to an intervention (n = 13) or control (n = 15) group for 3 months. The intervention group received a 60-minute FIT home visit program; the control group received a 30-minute home visit using common conversational techniques. Measures were Mini-Mental State Examination, Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB) and Geriatric Depression Scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The FAB score was significantly improved in the intervention group compared with the control group (2.5 vs -0.5, P = 0.02).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our FIT home visit program improved cognitive function. Further studies with larger samples and longer follow-up periods are needed to assess the long-term effectiveness of a FIT home visit program on cognition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Sciences, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan.
authors.forename: Shigekazu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ukawa
authors.forename: Motoyuki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yuasa
authors.forename: Tamiko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ikeno
authors.forename: Eiji
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Yoshioka
authors.forename: Hiroki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Satoh
authors.forename: Waka
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Murata
authors.forename: Katsunori
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ikoma
authors.forename: Reiko
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kishi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003071:Cognition; D003142:Communication; D003704:Dementia / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003863:Depression; D005260:Female; D006792:House Calls; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales