Multi-methodological rehabilitation with emphasis on cognitive training alleviates Alzheimer patients’ mood symptoms and supports coping among family members
The increasing number of people with dementia creates a need for effective rehabilitation programs. The aim of this RCT study was to evaluate the effects of rehabilitation on mild Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients and their family members. Technology assisted intervention consisted of face-to-face group sessions, cognitive training at home with a tablet computer and individual counseling in order to support the AD patients’ cognitive performance and well-being and help their family members cope. A total of 53 AD patients and 42 family members participated in the trial. Baseline data was collected before the 13-week intervention started, with follow-ups at 14 weeks and six months after the baseline study. A positive change was observed in the intervention group in AD patients’ mood according to the patients as well as reports from their family members. The effect remained positive over the follow-up period. No changes were found in the patients’ quality of life, acti-vities in daily life or cognitive performance. Further, positive attitudes towards caregiving increased (COPE-Index) in family members attending the intervention.