Psychiatry Investig.  2017 Sep;14(5):626-639. 10.4306/pi.2017.14.5.626.

Cognitive Stimulation as a Therapeutic Modality for Dementia: A Meta-Analysis

• Kim K
• Han JW
• So Y
• Seo J
• Kim YJ
• Park JH
• Lee SB
• Lee JJ
• Jeong HG
• Kim TH
• Kim KW

• KMID: 2395486
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4306/pi.2017.14.5.626

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
Although cognitive stimulation (CS) is one of the most popular non-pharmacological interventions for people with dementia, its efficacy is still debatable. We performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the efficacy of CS in people with dementia.
METHODS
Data sources were identified by searching PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, psychINFO, and Cochrane Reviews Library. A total of 7,354 articles were identified, and of these, 30 RCTs were selected based on the selection criteria. Of these 30 RCTs, 14 were finally included in our meta-analysis [731 participants with dementia; 412 received CS (CS group) and 319 received usual care (control group)].
RESULTS
We found that the people with dementia had a moderate benefit from CS. The mean difference between the CS and control groups was 2.21 [95% CI (0.93, 3.49), Z=3.38, p=0.00007] in the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognition and 1.41 [95% CI (0.98, 1.84), Z=6.39, p<0.00001] in the Mini-Mental State Examination. CS also improved quality of life in people with dementia [95% CI (0.72, 3.38), Z=3.02, p=0.003].
CONCLUSION
CS is effective for improving cognition and quality of life in people with dementia; however, its effects were small to moderate.

Keyword

Cognitive stimulation; Dementia; Meta-analysis; Cognition; Quality of life

MeSH Terms

Alzheimer Disease
Cognition
Dementia*
Information Storage and Retrieval
Patient Selection
Quality of Life