Cognitive Stimulation Therapy for Dementia

Overseen By Terrance Anderson, Doctor of Occupational Therapy

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Northern Kentucky University

Disqualifiers: Prior CST, Learning disability, TBI, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 17

Duration: 7 weeks

10 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal of this experimental study is to learn if cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) helps improve cognitive functioning and engagement in individuals with mild-to-moderate dementia who reside in skilled nursing facilities. It will also help introduce CST into long-term care facilities in the Northern Kentucky region and provide evidence to support reimbursement for occupational therapy (OT) services in memory care. The main question it aims to answer is: Is there a significant difference in cognitive functioning and engagement between individuals with mild-to-moderate dementia who reside in skilled nursing facilities and receive cognitive stimulation compared to individuals receiving maintenance-level services? Researchers will compare CST (themed grouped sessions with activites related to their childhood, sounds, word and number games, current affairs, being creative, word association, physical games, quizzes, and orientation) to maintenance-level services (activities performed in the activities room) to see if there is a significant difference in cognition and engagement in residents who receive CST versus their regular maintenance level services. Participants will receive either CST or maintenance-level services for 45-minutes twice weekly for 7-weeks led by two doctor of occupational therapy students under the supervision of a licensed occupational therapist in the state of Indiana and the sites activity director, complete assessments before and after the 7-weeks to measure changes in cognitive function and engagement, along with participating in a screening assessment before the start of the study. This study will also support the OT profession by enhancing practitioners' skills in dementia care and contributing evidence for policy and reimbursement discussions.

Eligibility Criteria

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

Living in a long-term care facility

Engaging in at least 45 minutes a week of recreational or social activities

Provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

I have received hormone therapy before.

History of a learning disability or traumatic brain injury

Participation in a concurrent clinical trial

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

Pre-testing

Participants complete pre-testing assessments to measure baseline cognitive function and engagement

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants receive either Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) or maintenance-level services twice weekly for 45 minutes

7 weeks

14 visits (in-person)

Post-intervention assessment

Participants complete post-intervention assessments to measure changes in cognitive function and engagement

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

Treatment Details

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.

Participant Groups

Group I: Cognitive stimulation therapy group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

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.

Group II: Maintenance-level services group Active Control 1 Intervention

This 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 weeks of maintenance-level services. Participants in this group will have the opportunity to receive CST sessions after the study concludes to ensure equitable access to the intervention. These participants will participate in activites developed by the site two times per week for 7 weeks for 45 minutes. Activities may include vitality and/or mindful moments.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Northern Kentucky University

Lead Sponsor

Ridgewood Health Campus

Collaborator