Testing of a cognitive stimulation intervention for dementia caregiving dyads

Abstract

Two experimental studies are presented which compare the effect of one home-based cognitive stimulation intervention for the caregiving dyad with a subsequent modification of that intervention on outcomes for spouses coping with dementia of the Alzheimer's type. In each experiment, samples were drawn from a larger study and were selected on common criteria relative to initial level of cognitive functioning and if they were spousal units. The 56 couples in the first study and the 30 couples in the subsequent study had all been randomised to either experimental, control, or placebo groups. Data had been collected initially and post-intervention (3 months) on measures of immediate and delayed memory, verbal fluency, and problem solving, along with marital interaction. The interventions varied in length of time (12 vs. 8 weeks) and direction of weekly focus (single vs. integrated). Results showed improvement in immediate memory for patients in the first study, in problem solving in the second study, and in verbal fluency for patients in both studies, with decline in the respective control groups. These findings support the inclusion of spousal caregivers as active participants in cognitive remediation for dementia.