A Quasi-experimental Study to Assess the Effectiveness of Cognitive Stimulation Therapy on Cognition among the Institutionalized Elderly in Selected Old Age Homes at Madurai

V. Jesinda Vedanayagi; Nalini Jeyavanth Santha

Abstract

Background of the Study: The aging population is increasing significantly in the world. Therefore,world population is expected to be comprised of progressively bigger proportion of elderlyindividuals. Human aging is an inevitable process and, as such, implies a process of transformationand progressive change in biological, psychological and social structure. The cognitive functionbegins to deteriorate with advancing age and there are common consequences to variouspsychological and social aspects, such as the loss of significant people, employment, and entry intothe retirement, which can lead to isolation. Therefore, there is a risk of cognitive decline. Psychiatricmental health nurse can play a vital role in reducing the adverse effects of aging such as decreasedmemory, visuospatial skills, processing speed and executive functioning by cognitive stimulation.Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of cognitive stimulation therapy oncognition among the institutionalized elderly in old age homes. Methodology: Quasi-experimentalpre-test post-test control group design was used for the study. The study was conducted in selectedfive old age homes in Madurai. A total of 150 elderly were selected using convenience-samplingtechnique. Among 150, 75 were in the experimental group and 75 were in the control group. Toolsused were Mini-mental status examination, Test Your Memory Test (TYM test), clock drawing test,digit symbol coding test and trial making test B. The cognitive stimulation therapy was administeredover 2 days in a week for 7 consecutive weeks. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferentialstatistics. Results: The cognitive stimulation therapy was effective in improving the memory (Pre-testVs Post-test I, F=2622.905, P<0.001), (Post-test I vs Post-test II comparison F=1460.149, P<0.001),Visuospatial skills (Pre-test Vs Post-test I comparison F=422.891, P<0.001) and (post-test I vs post-test II F=310.186, P<0.001), speed of processing (pre-test vs post-test I F=696.353, P<0.001), (Post-test I vs post-test II F=425.315, P<0.001), and executive functioning (Pre-test vs Post-test IF=593.568, P<0.001), (Post-test I Vs Post-test II F=373.078, P<0.001) of the institutionalizedelderly. There was a significant positiverelationship found between memory andvisuospatial skills, (r=0.845) memory and speed ofprocessing (r=0.758) and memory and executivefunctioning (r=-0.860). There was a significantassociation between memory and demographicvariables of the institutionalized elderly such aseducation (Kruskal = 6.552, P<0.038) and co-morbid illness (Kruskal = 9.902, P<0.042).Conclusion: Population aging is a reality in theworld, becoming increasingly, a concern to begiven attention. And since to care for the elderly isto value our history and future, we must create anatmosphere and culture of cognitive stimulation tomaximize the older adult’s level of cognition. Engaging in cognitively stimulating activities in daily life will reduce the possibilities of cognitivedecline.

A Quasi-experimental Study to Assess the Effectiveness of Cognitive Stimulation Therapy on Cognition among the Institutionalized Elderly in Selected Old Age Homes at Madurai

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