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Cognitive rehabilitation in patients with mild cognitive impairment
Author(s) -
Kurz Alexander,
Pohl Corina,
Ramsenthaler Michaela,
Sorg Christian
Publication year - 2009
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.2086
Subject(s) - dementia , mood , rehabilitation , psychology , cognition , cognitive rehabilitation therapy , episodic memory , verbal memory , activities of daily living , recall , memory impairment , effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance , physical therapy , clinical psychology , physical medicine and rehabilitation , medicine , psychiatry , disease , cognitive psychology
Objective To explore the benefits of a multi‐component cognitive rehabilitation programme in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Methods Patients with MCI ( n = 18) and patients with mild dementia in Alzheimer's disease ( n = 10) participated in a 4‐week cognitive rehabilitation programme in a day clinic setting. The intervention was provided in group format and included activity planning, self‐assertiveness training, relaxation techniques, stress management, use of external memory aids, memory training, and motor exercise. Results After 4 weeks, MCI patients showed significant improvements on activities of daily living, mood, verbal and nonverbal episodic memory. In contrast, patients with mild dementia exhibited a non‐significant increase in verbal memory but no other changes. MCI subjects allocated to the waiting list control condition ( n = 12) showed a significant re‐test effect on verbal episodic memory, but no improvement of everyday activities or mood. Conclusions The study demonstrates that patients with MCI benefit from a multi‐component cognitive rehabilitation programme with regard to activities of daily living, mood, and memory performance. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.