Cognitive Stimulation as Alternative Treatment to Improve Psychological Disorders in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment

• Main Authors: Afanador-Restrepo, D.F (Author), Aibar-Almazán, A. (Author), Baena-Marín, M. (Author), Brandão-Loureiro, V. (Author), Carcelén-Fraile, M.C (Author), Castellote-Caballero, Y. (Author), García-Garro, P.A (Author), Hita-Contreras, F. (Author), Llera-Delatorre, A.M (Author)
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI 2022
• Subjects: anxiety; cognitive training; depression; mild cognitive impairment; quality of life
• Online Access: View Fulltext in Publisher

 (1) Background: Mild cognitive impairment is becoming one of the most common clinical manifestations affecting older people. For this reason, developing non-pharmacological strategies to help improve or maintain the physical condition of patients with mild dementia has become a priority. Therefore, the objective of this study is to provide evidence about the effects of a cognitive stimulation program on cognitive performance, anxiety, depression, and quality of life in people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and aged > 70. (2) Methods: This study is a randomized clinical trial. A total of 72 elderly people with MCI participated: 35 in the control group who did not receive any intervention and 36 in the experimental group who received a cognitive stimulation program for 12 weeks. Cognitive performance, depression, anxiety and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) were measured using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Yesavage Geriatric Depression Scale, the Hamilton Rating Scale, and the SF-12, respectively. (3) Results: In the experimental group, significant results were obtained on cognitive performance, depression, anxiety and general health, emotional role, social functioning, vitality, mental health and mental component summary domains of the SF-12. (4) Conclusions: a cognitive stimulation program of 12 weeks improves cognitive performance, anxiety, depression, and HRQoL in people with MCI aged > 70. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.