Cognitive Stimulation Therapy for Dementia
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial aims to determine if cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) can enhance thinking skills and engagement levels in individuals with mild-to-moderate dementia residing in long-term care facilities. CST includes group activities such as games, quizzes, and discussions designed to stimulate the mind. Sessions occur twice a week for seven weeks. Suitable participants have mild-to-moderate dementia, live in a long-term care facility, and already engage in some group activities. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to research that could improve the quality of life for those with dementia.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.
What prior data suggests that cognitive stimulation therapy is safe for individuals with dementia?
Research has shown that Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) is generally safe for people with mild to moderate dementia. Studies have found that CST is well-tolerated and can improve thinking skills and alleviate symptoms like depression. One study noted short-term improvements in overall thinking and behavior for patients with mild to moderate dementia.
These studies have not reported any major negative effects. CST includes activities like games and discussions, which are usually low-risk. It is important to note that CST does not use medication, so there are often fewer side effects compared to drug treatments.
Overall, CST appears to be a safe choice for those wanting to boost their thinking skills and stay engaged.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) is unique because it focuses on engaging people with dementia in mentally stimulating activities that can enhance cognitive function and social interaction. Unlike traditional treatments that often rely on medications to manage symptoms, CST is a non-drug approach that involves structured group sessions with activities designed to be both fun and mentally challenging. Researchers are excited about CST because it offers a promising way to help improve the quality of life for individuals with dementia without the side effects associated with medications. Additionally, it encourages social engagement, which can be beneficial for mood and overall well-being.
What evidence suggests that cognitive stimulation therapy is effective for dementia?
Research has shown that Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST), which participants in this trial will receive, can greatly improve thinking skills, language, and memory in people with dementia. Studies have also found that CST helps with depression and other mental health symptoms. One study discovered that CST enhances both the quality of life and mental abilities in those living with dementia. Additionally, CST might improve brain connections and lead to short-term improvements in behavior and thinking for people with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. Overall, these findings suggest that CST could be a helpful therapy for boosting mental function and engagement in dementia patients.15678
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for individuals with mild-to-moderate dementia living in skilled nursing facilities. Participants should be able to engage in cognitive activities and complete assessments before and after the therapy sessions.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Pre-testing
Participants complete pre-testing assessments to measure baseline cognitive function and engagement
Treatment
Participants receive either Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) or maintenance-level services twice weekly for 45 minutes
Post-intervention assessment
Participants complete post-intervention assessments to measure changes in cognitive function and engagement
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Cognitive Stimulation Therapy
Trial Overview
The study tests if Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST), involving themed group sessions with various mental exercises, improves cognition and engagement compared to standard maintenance-level services over a period of 7 weeks.
How Is the Trial Designed?
1
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
The CST group will participate in a screening measure where they will perform the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog) to assess for cognitive impairment. The participants will then participate in the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and the Observational Measurement of Engagement (OME) prior to and after the 7-week CST program. The group will receive CST, which is an evidence-based, cognitively stimulating therapeutic group intervention, two times per week for 7 weeks for 45 minutes. The general structure of each session will follow the CST Manual called "Making a Difference 1" and each participant will participate in an introduction, theme song, current affairs activity, the main activity (theme-based activities), and closure each session.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Northern Kentucky University
Lead Sponsor
Ridgewood Health Campus
Collaborator
Citations
Meta-analysis of the effect of cognitive stimulation therapy ...
The obtained results showed that CST intervention may not improved the MMSE score, and the difference was not statistically significant, that is, no significant ...
Effectiveness of Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) for ...
The pooled results indicated that CST had a significant beneficial impact on global cognition, language, working memory, depression, neuropsychiatric symptoms, ...
Effectiveness of a 14-week protocol for cognitive ...
The authors found CST to be efficacious for improving quality of life (QOL) and cognitive function in people living with dementia. Over the past ...
Study Details | NCT06372002 | Effectiveness and Cost ...
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of CST-ES, the Spanish adaptation of Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST), ...
5.
frontiersin.org
frontiersin.org/journals/aging-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnagi.2023.1140975/fullImproved connectivity and cognition due to ...
Our data indicate that CST seems to induce short-term global cognition and behavior improvements in mild to moderate AD dementia.
Review Effects of cognitive stimulation therapy on patients ...
Eleven studies with low to high rating of overall confidence (OC) consistently reported that CST could significantly improve cognition of people ...
Study Protocol w/ SAP and ICF
The objective of this research was to answer the following question: Does CST improve cognitive functioning and increase engagement levels ...
Effectiveness of cognitive stimulation for individuals with ...
In the pooled samples, the CS intervention had a significant effect on cognitive function (SMD=0.63, 95% CI 0.25 to 1.01; p=0.001) and depression symptoms (SMD= ...
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