Martin Orrell
University College of London, UK
Title: Recent Developments in Cognitive Stimulation Therapy for Dementia
Biography
Biography: Martin Orrell
Abstract
Techniques to stimulate cognition in older people with dementia are widely used around the world. Cognitive Stimulation Therapy as developed by Spector et al. who carried out the original randomised controlled trial comparing a twice-weekly cognitive stimulation therapy group with treatment as usual for older people with dementia. 201 people were in the study and an intention to treat showed benefits to cognition and quality of life . Qualitative methods were used to refine the CST package, and assess experiences of the people attending CST groups, their carers and the group facilitators. Themes identified were positive experiences of being in the group and changes experienced in everyday life providing evidence for the mechanisms of change. The largest ever study of maintenance CST showed benefits to quality of life after 6 months and benefits to cognition for those on anti-dementia drugs who also attended groups. The recent trial of individual CST included 356 participants across 8 UK centres randomised to intervention or usual care. iCST improved the quality of the patient-carer relationship for the person with dementia and improved quality of life for the carer at 6 months.