title: Beneficial effects of multisensory and cognitive stimulation in institutionalized elderly: 12-months follow-up.
abstract: We previously demonstrated the beneficial effects of a multisensory and cognitive stimulation program, consisting of 48 sessions, twice a week, to improve the cognition of elderly subjects living either in long-term care institutions (institutionalized - I) or in communities with their families (noninstitutionalized - NI). In the present study, we evaluated these subjects after the end of the intervention and compared the rate of age-related cognitive decline of those living in an enriched community environment (NI group, n=15, 74.1±3.9 years old) with those living in the impoverished environment of long-term care institutions (I group, n=20, 75.1±6.8 years old). Both groups participated fully in our stimulation program. Over 1 year, we conducted revaluations at five time points (2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 8 months, and 12 months) after the completion of the intervention. Both elderly groups were evaluated with the mini-mental state examination and selected language tests. Progressive cognitive decline was observed in both groups over the period. Indeed, it took only 4-6 months after the end of the stimulation program for significant reductions in language test scores to become apparent. However, earlier reductions in test scores were mainly associated with I group, and linguistic prosody test scores were significantly affected by institutionalization and time, two variables that interacted and reduced these scores. Moreover, I group reduced the Montréal cognitive assessment battery language tests scores 4 months before NI group. It remains to be investigated what mechanisms may explain the earlier and more intense language losses in institutionalized elderly.
authors: Laboratory of Investigations in Neurodegeneration and Infection, Institute of Biological Sciences, University Hospital João de Barros Barreto, Federal University of Pará, Belem, Para, Brazil.
authors: Liliane Dias E Dias
authors: LD
authors: de Macedo
authors: Laboratory of Investigations in Neurodegeneration and Infection, Institute of Biological Sciences, University Hospital João de Barros Barreto, Federal University of Pará, Belem, Para, Brazil.
authors: Thaís Cristina Galdino
authors: TC
authors: De Oliveira
authors: Laboratory of Investigations in Neurodegeneration and Infection, Institute of Biological Sciences, University Hospital João de Barros Barreto, Federal University of Pará, Belem, Para, Brazil.
authors: Fernanda Cabral
authors: FC
authors: Soares
authors: Laboratory of Investigations in Neurodegeneration and Infection, Institute of Biological Sciences, University Hospital João de Barros Barreto, Federal University of Pará, Belem, Para, Brazil ; College of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy, Federal University of Para, Belem, Para, Brazil.
authors: João
authors: J
authors: Bento-Torres
authors: Laboratory of Investigations in Neurodegeneration and Infection, Institute of Biological Sciences, University Hospital João de Barros Barreto, Federal University of Pará, Belem, Para, Brazil ; College of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy, Federal University of Para, Belem, Para, Brazil.
authors: Natáli Valim Oliver
authors: NV
authors: Bento-Torres
authors: Laboratory of Experimental Neuropathology, Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford, England, UK.
authors: Daniel Clive
authors: DC
authors: Anthony
authors: Laboratory of Investigations in Neurodegeneration and Infection, Institute of Biological Sciences, University Hospital João de Barros Barreto, Federal University of Pará, Belem, Para, Brazil.
authors: Cristovam Wanderley
authors: CW
authors: Picanço-Diniz
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003071:Cognition; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007326:Institutionalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007802:Language; D008019:Life Style; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
keywords: age-related cognitive impairment; community living; language assessment; long-term care institutions; multisensory and cognitive stimulation