Premium
Cognitive intervention for community‐dwelling older persons with memory problems: telemedicine versus face‐to‐face treatment
Author(s) -
Poon Patricia,
Hui Elsie,
Dai David,
Kwok Timothy,
Woo Jean
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
international journal of geriatric psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.28
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1166
pISSN - 0885-6230
DOI - 10.1002/gps.1282
Subject(s) - dementia , cognition , intervention (counseling) , telemedicine , medicine , geriatric depression scale , cognitive test , cognitive decline , psychology , gerontology , clinical psychology , psychiatry , disease , health care , depressive symptoms , pathology , economics , economic growth
Background Memory complaints and decline in cognitive function are common in the elederly. Cognitive intervention has been shown to be beneficial in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, few community‐based cognitive intervention programs are available in Hong Kong. The aim of this project is to examine and compare the feasibility, acceptability, and clinical outcome of a cognitive intervention program for older patients with mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia using telemedicine versus a conventional face‐to‐face method. Methods Community‐dwelling older subjects with mild dementia or mild cognitive impairments were recruited from a community center. A total of 12 sessions of assessment and cognitive intervention were conducted via videoconferencing or by face‐to‐face method. Assessment included: Cantonese version of Mini Mental State Examination (C‐MMSE), Cantonese version of Rivermead Behavioural Memory test (C‐RBMT) and Hierarchic Dementia Scale (HDS). Results Twenty‐two clients were recruited. There was significant and comparable cognitive improvement in clients in both treatment arms. The videoconference arm was highly accepted by the clients and the community center. Overall compliance rate of participants was above 95%. Conclusions Telemedicine was a feasible, effective and acceptable means in providing cognitive assessment and intervention to older persons with mild cognitive deficits. Promoting such a program to other community settings would further enhance the accessibility of dementia service to the community. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.