title: It is not only memory: effects of sensecam on improving well-being in patients with mild alzheimer disease.
abstract: Cognitive interventions (either restorative or compensatory) developed for mild Alzheimer's Disease (AD) have been tested widely with cognitive measures, but less is known about how the effects of such interventions are generalizable to daily functioning. In the present study, we looked at affective state and perceived functionality and quality of life indicators, for three different cognitive rehabilitation programs.
  
  
  
  Fifty-one AD patients in the mild stage of the disease were selected for the study and were randomly assigned to one of three cognitive training groups: (1) Memo+ (a paper and pencil memory training program); (2) SenseCam (wearable camera used as a passive external memory aid); (3) Written diary (a personal journal, used as control condition). All patients attended 11 sessions, twice a week, of 1-hour length. The three outcome indicators were examined with standardized instruments applied before the intervention, one week after and at six months follow-up.
  
  
  
  After treatment, the SenseCam and Memo+ groups had significantly reduced depressive symptoms compared to the Diary control condition. The same was found for measures of perceived functional capacity. No intervention effects were found for quality of life measures. The immediate effects of the interventions were not maintained at follow-up.
  
  
  
  Our results suggest that two types of memory rehabilitation can improve depressive symptomology and instrumental activities of daily living, suggesting that these interventions can stimulate not only cognition but also well-being, at least in the short term.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences,University of Coimbra,Coimbra,Portugal.
authors.forename: Ana Rita
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-5957-2711
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences,University of Coimbra,Coimbra,Portugal.
authors.forename: Maria Salomé
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Pinho
authors.affiliation: Department of Informatics Engineering,University of Coimbra,Coimbra,Portugal.
authors.forename: Luís
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Macedo
authors.affiliation: Laboratories de Psychologie & NeuroCognition (CNRS UMR 5105),Université Grenoble Alpes,Grenoble,France.
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Moulin
authors.affiliation: Coimbra University Hospitals,Coimbra,Portugal.
authors.forename: Salomé
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Caldeira
authors.affiliation: Coimbra University Hospitals,Coimbra,Portugal.
authors.forename: Horácio
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Firmino
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003071:Cognition; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003863:Depression / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011174:Portugal; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D016037:Single-Blind Method
keywords: alzheimer's disease; depression; functional capacity; quality of life; senseCam