The effectiveness of cognitive stimulation therapy on older persons with Alzheimer's disease : a specific focus on memory

Abstract

Demographic information indicates that the ageing population is increasing, and that Malta is just as prone to this phenomenon. Considering that Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) increases with age, an ageing population has serious implications on the epidemiology of AD. Research in this area has shifted much of its attention to the study of non-pharmacological interventions. The interest in Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) has increased over the past few years, as a number of researchers have tried to set the basis for the evaluation of its effectiveness. In order to expand the knowledge of CST further, this study examined the impact of CST on older persons with AD, in the context of memory and overall cognition. A quantitative methodology was employed to collect and analyse data. Two robust neuropsychological assessments were used, these being the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) and the Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test – 3rd Edition (RBMT-3). Data was analysed using independent t-tests and dependent t-tests. The study identified significant superiority in performance on prospective memory, new learning and language, following CST. It also identified significant improvement in terms of orientation, overall memory performance and overall cognition. A significant decline in delayed memory was detected in terms of treatment-as-usual. Whilst keeping in mind the limitations of this study, it concludes that CST has a positive impact on older persons with AD in relation to language, overall cognition and memory, whilst treatment-as-usual lead to a decline in delayed memory.