title: Long-term effects of group therapy for patients with mild cognitive impairment and their significant others: a 6- to 8-month follow-up study.
abstract: The present study examines the long-term effects of a 10-session cognitive behavioural group therapy for patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and their significant others 6 to 8 months after completion of the intervention. Forty-seven MCI patients and 47 significant others participated in the follow-up assessment. Results of the RAND-36, Illness Cognition Questionnaire, IQCODE, GDS-15 and Sense of Competence Questionnaire at follow-up were compared with the post-intervention assessment. Our findings showed that the increased level of acceptance in the MCI patients was maintained at follow-up, with an increased insight into their cognitive decline compared with post-intervention assessment (p < 0.001). In both the patients and the significant others, helplessness and wellbeing were worse at follow up (p < 0.05), but sense of competence increased in the significant others (p < 0.05). These results indicate a need for extension of the support after completion of the program, for example by providing regular booster sessions.
authors: Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, the Netherlands.
authors: Liesbeth W A
authors: LW
authors: Joosten-Weyn Banningh
authors: Sondra C F
authors: SC
authors: Roelofs
authors: Myrra J F J
authors: MJ
authors: Vernooij-Dassen
authors: Judith B
authors: JB
authors: Prins
authors: Marcel G M
authors: MG
authors: Olde Rikkert
authors: Roy P C
authors: RP
authors: Kessels
mesh_terms: D000339:Affect; D000368:Aged; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012929:Psychological Distance; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods*; D017678:Sex Distribution; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: cognitive behavioural therapy; group therapy; mild cognitive impairment; non-pharmacological interventions; significant others