Beneficial Effects of an Integrated Psychostimulation Program in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease

J Alzheimers Dis. 2016;50(2):559-66. doi: 10.3233/JAD-150455.

Abstract

Background: The existing pharmacological treatments for Alzheimer's disease (AD) can only slow the progression of symptoms or delay admission to long-term care facilities. The beneficial effects of non-drug treatments are poorly studied.

Objective: To describe the effects of an Integrated Psychostimulation Program (IPP) in patients with mild-moderate AD treated with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors; and to identify factors related to greater benefit of the IPP.

Methods: 206 patients (mean age = 75.9 years; MMSE = 19.6) were evaluated before starting the IPP and 3, 6, 9, and 12 months later. Measures included: Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Cognitive Subscale of Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS-Cog), Rapid Disability Rating Scale (RDRS-2), and Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI-Q).

Results: Patients remained cognitively stable (MMSE/ADAS-Cog) for more than 6 months and significantly worsened at 9-month and 12-month follow-ups, without clinically significant functional changes (RDRS-2) or psychiatric symptoms(NPI-Q). The mean annual change on MMSE and ADAS-Cog were 2.06 and 3.56 points, respectively, lower than the annual decline demonstrated previously in similar patients (2.4 and 4.5, respectively). 42.7% of patients maintained or improved global cognitive scores between baseline and 12-month follow-up. The patients who maintained cognitive functions were older than those who did not (77.5 versus 74.7 years).

Conclusions: The IPP may be an effective treatment to maintain cognition, functionality, and psychiatric symptoms in AD patients pharmacologically treated, and older age seems to increase beneficial effects of IPP.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; Integral Psychostimulation Program; cognition; cognitive stimulation; dementia; functionality; non-pharmacological therapy.

Publication types

  • Observational Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Activities of Daily Living / psychology*
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Alzheimer Disease / diagnosis*
  • Alzheimer Disease / drug therapy
  • Alzheimer Disease / psychology
  • Alzheimer Disease / therapy*
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Cognition / physiology*
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Psychotherapy / methods*
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors