title: Cognitive psychosocial intervention in dementia: a systematic review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The evolution of dementia depends on the underlying pathology, early diagnosis and the availability of effective treatment for some of the symptoms that interfere with the patients' or caregivers' quality of life. Even though there is no specific treatment to reverse dementia, some interventions such as reality orientation and skills training can retard cognitive impairment.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To review existing scientific evidence regarding the efficacy of therapies included in the category of cognition-oriented approaches for people suffering from dementia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Papers were retrieved from several bibliographic databases (last publication date: 2009) with pre-specified selection criteria, data extraction and methodological quality assessment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nine reality orientation and 8 skills training trials were identified as meeting the inclusion criteria.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Stimulation of cognitive functions, especially by means of reality orientation, improves overall cognitive function in patients suffering from dementia.
authors.affiliation: TransLab Research Group, Department of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Girona, Girona, Spain.
authors.forename: Carme
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Carrion
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aymerich
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Baillés
authors.forename: Abel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: López-Bermejo
mesh_terms: D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D006801:Humans