title: Comparison of neuropsychological and functional outcomes in Alzheimer's disease patients with good or bad response to a cognitive stimulation treatment: a retrospective analysis.
abstract: The benefit of cognitive stimulation (CS) treatments in dementia is unequal. This study has sought to identify cognitive and functional measurements before and after the treatment which are indicative of a better response to a one-year CS program.
  
  
  
  A retrospective observational study was conducted between 2004 and 2012 in a sample of 60 users diagnosed with mild Alzheimer's disease (AD) who followed a one-year CS program and underwent a cognitive and functional assessment before and after the intervention. As a primary measure of treatment response, we used the annual change of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores, which distinguished good responders (R) from non-responders (NR).
  
  
  
  51.7% of patients classified as R at baseline had a higher cognitive performance in attention, immediate verbal memory, language, and working memory compared to NR. No initial statistically significant differences were found between R and NR in any sociodemographic variables, medical conditions, anxiety and/or depressive symptoms, treatment with cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs), level of insight, global cognitive function (MMSE), or functional capacity. After 12 months of treatment, R had significantly better results than NR on MMSE, temporal orientation, category evocation, and Philadelphia Geriatric Center-Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (PGC-IADL).
  
  
  
  The response to a CS treatment of some subjects over others is linked to cognitive and functional capacity. This research contributes to characterize the neuropsychological profile that differentiates subjects who respond better than others before and after the treatment. This should contribute to customize and optimize neuropsychological interventions in patients with AD.
authors: Brain, Cognition and Behavior: Clinical Research,Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa,Barcelona,Spain.
authors: Mar
authors: M
authors: Martínez-Moreno
authors: Brain, Cognition and Behavior: Clinical Research,Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa,Barcelona,Spain.
authors: Noemí
authors: N
authors: Cerulla
authors: Brain, Cognition and Behavior: Clinical Research,Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa,Barcelona,Spain.
authors: Gloria
authors: G
authors: Chico
authors: Brain, Cognition and Behavior: Clinical Research,Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa,Barcelona,Spain.
authors: María
authors: M
authors: Quintana
authors: Brain, Cognition and Behavior: Clinical Research,Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa,Barcelona,Spain.
authors: Maite
authors: M
authors: Garolera
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D003071:Cognition; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000073216:Mental Status and Dementia Tests; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011340:Problem Solving; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Alzheimer's disease; cognitive training; dementia