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Comparison of neuropsychological and functional outcomes in Alzheimer's disease patients with good or bad response to a cognitive stimulation treatment: a retrospective analysis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 August 2016

Mar Martínez-Moreno
Affiliation:
Brain, Cognition and Behavior: Clinical Research, Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa, Barcelona, Spain
Noemí Cerulla
Affiliation:
Brain, Cognition and Behavior: Clinical Research, Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa, Barcelona, Spain Sant Jordi Day Hospital for Cognitive Impairment, Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa, Barcelona, Spain
Gloria Chico
Affiliation:
Brain, Cognition and Behavior: Clinical Research, Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa, Barcelona, Spain Sant Llàtzer Day Hospital for Cognitive Impairment, Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa, Barcelona, Spain
María Quintana
Affiliation:
Brain, Cognition and Behavior: Clinical Research, Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa, Barcelona, Spain
Maite Garolera*
Affiliation:
Brain, Cognition and Behavior: Clinical Research, Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa, Barcelona, Spain Neuropsychology Unit, Hospital de Terrassa. Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa, Barcelona, Spain Grup de Recerca Consolidat en Neuropsicologia (SGR0941), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Maite Garolera, PhD. Email: mgarolera@cst.cat.

Abstract

Background:

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.

Methods:

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).

Results:

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).

Conclusion:

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.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2016 

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