Cognitive stimulation therapy in the Italian context: its efficacy in cognitive and non-cognitive measures in older adults with dementia.
OBJECTIVE
Cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) has been shown to have significant benefits in enhancing cognitive functioning and improving the quality of life of people with mild to moderate dementia. The present study examines the efficacy of the Italian version of the therapy (CST-IT).


METHODS
Older adults with mild to moderate dementia (n = 39) were randomly assigned to two programs: one group participated in the CST-IT, consisting of 14 sessions (twice a week for 7 weeks) and the active control group took part in alternative general activities. The outcome measures were cognitive functioning (measured by the Mini-Mental State Examination-MMSE-, the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment scale-cognitive subscale, the backward digit span test, and a narrative language test); quality of life (Quality of life--Alzheimer's Disease scale); mood (Cornell scale for depression in dementia and the social and emotional loneliness scale); functional activities in daily living (Disability Assessment for Dementia); and behavior (neuropsychiatric inventory).


RESULTS
After the intervention, only the CST-IT group maintained its MMSE score, while the control group displayed deterioration. The CST-IT group also performed better in some of the cognitive measures (Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive subscale and narrative language), mood measures (Cornell scale, social and emotional loneliness scale with a decrease in reported loneliness), and the Quality of life--Alzheimer's Disease scale. No other treatment effect was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings confirm the efficacy, at least in the short term, of the CST in sustaining cognitive functions and perceived quality of life in older adults with dementia in the Italian care setting as well.
University of Urbino, Urbino, Italy.
Emanuela
E
Capotosto
University of Urbino, Urbino, Italy.
Carmen
C
Belacchi
University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
Simona
S
Gardini
Centro Servizi Anni Sereni di Scorzé (VE), Scorzé (VE), Italy.
Silvia
S
Faggian
Laboratorio di Neuropsichiatria, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia (Roma), Roma, Italy.
Federica
F
Piras
Centro Servizi Anni Sereni di Scorzé (VE), Scorzé (VE), Italy.
Vanessa
V
Mantoan
Centro Servizi Anni Sereni di Scorzé (VE), Scorzé (VE), Italy.
Elisa
E
Salvalaio
Azienda ULSS numero 3 Bassano del Grappa, Bassano del Grappa, Italy.
Samantha
S
Pradelli
General Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
Erika
E
Borella
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000339:Affect; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003071:Cognition; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003704:Dementia / Q000628:therapy*; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
cognitive functioning; cognitive stimulation therapy; dementia; quality of life