EBP Compendium: Summary of Systematic Review
The Cochrane Collaboration; The Alzheimer’s Society UK; University of Wales, Bangor UK
Cognitive Rehabilitation and Cognitive Training for Early-Stage Alzheimer's Disease and Vascular Dementia
Clare, L., Woods, R. T., et al.
(2003).
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews(4).
Indicators of Review Quality:
|
The review addresses a clearly focused question
| No |
|
Criteria for inclusion of studies are provided
| Yes |
|
Search strategy is described in sufficient detail for replication
| Yes |
|
Included studies are assessed for study quality
| Yes |
|
Quality assessments are reproducible
| Yes |
Description: This is a review of randomized controlled trials to determine the effectiveness of cognitive rehabilitation or cognitive training for people with dementia.
Question(s) Addressed:
Question not specifically stated.
Population: Participants with a medical diagnosis of dementia
Intervention/Assessment: Cognitive rehabilitation or cognitive training
Number of Studies Included: 6
Years Included: 1966 - 2003
Findings:
Conclusions:
- Treatment
- Cognitive-Communication
- Restorative Treatments
- Six studies were found examining the use of various cognitive training programs (e.g. stimulation, spaced retrieval, computer training) to improve memory performance.
- The findings from the review did not show strong support for the use of targeted interventions with individuals presenting with early-stage Alzheimer's disease.
- The authors concluded that "none of the six studies reporting cognitive training interventions demonstrated any statistically significant effects in any domain, although there were indications of some modest, non-significant effects in various domains of cognitive functioning" (p. 1).
- Further research from randomized controlled trials is warranted.
Keywords: Alzheimer's Disease, Dementia, Cognitive Rehabilitation
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Added to Compendium: December 2011