Arlene J. Astell1,2,3, Sarah K. Smith4, Stephen Potter4, Emily Preston-Jones4
1Berkshire Memory and Cognition Research Centre, University of Reading, Reading, UK
2Research & Academics, Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences, Whitby, ON, Canada
3Department of Occupational Therapy & Occupational Sciences and Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
4Centre for Assistive Technology & Connected healthcare, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
Tóm tắt
AbstractIntroductionGroup‐based cognitive stimulation is the only nonpharmacologic intervention recommended by the UK National Institute for Clinical and Health Excellence for people with dementia. The potential of technology to extend the availability of group‐based cognitive stimulation has not been tested.MethodsOne hundred sixty‐one people with dementia participated in an eight‐session group activity using Computer Interactive Reminiscence and Conversation Aid (CIRCA). Cognition, quality of life, and general health were assessed before intervention, postintervention, and 3 months later.ResultsThere was a significant improvement in cognition and quality of life at the end of the CIRCA group intervention, which was further improved at 3‐month follow‐up.DiscussionCIRCA group sessions improved cognition and quality of life similar to group‐based cognitive stimulation approved by the National Institute for Clinical and Health Excellence. These benefits were maintained at 3‐month follow‐up. The data confirm the potential of CIRCA, which can be populated with different cultural and language contents for different user groups.
