J Korean Geriatr Soc.  2015 Jun;19(2):71-79. 10.4235/jkgs.2015.19.2.71.

The Effects of Occupational Therapy and Music Therapy on Patients With Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Pilot Study

• Lim EY
• Yang DW
• Shim YS
• Yoon B
• Hong YJ
• Moon MS

• KMID: 1879405
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4235/jkgs.2015.19.2.71

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are at an increased risk for developing dementia, especially Alzheimer disease; and pharmacological therapy for MCI is limited. As a result, nonpharmacological mediums have been considered to complement standard drug therapy. In this study, we evaluated the effects of nonpharmacological therapies, occupational therapy and music therapy, on cognitive functions and depressive mood in MCI patients.
METHODS
We enrolled patients with MCI from the Mapo Dementia Center and divided them into two groups, group A (n=14) who participated in a cognitive program for 12 months and group B (n=15) who did not participate in a cognitive program. We compared the baseline and followed-up scores of the Korean-version of Mini-Mental State Examination (K-MMSE), the Seoul Neuropsychological Screening Battery (SNSB), and the short version of geriatric depression scale (sGDS) between the two groups.
RESULTS
Group A showed improvements in total and language scores in the K-MMSE and digit span backward scores in the SNSB and sGDS. In contrast, group B showed a decline in the Seoul Verbal Learning Test recognition score in the SNSB. Additionally, there were significant intergroup differences in the total and language scores in K-MMSE, the digit span backward score, and the Rey Complex Figure Test-delayed recall scores and depression scores.
CONCLUSION
Occupational therapy and music therapy may help to improve cognitive functions and depressive mood in patients with MCI.

Keyword

Occupational therapy; Music therapy; Mild cognitive impairment

MeSH Terms

Alzheimer Disease
Complement System Proteins
Dementia
Depression
Drug Therapy
Humans
Mass Screening
Mild Cognitive Impairment*
Music Therapy*
Occupational Therapy*
Pilot Projects*
Seoul
Verbal Learning
Complement System Proteins