Different Durations of Cognitive Stimulation Therapy for Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Clinical Interventions in Aging
Chen, J., Duan, Y., et al. (2019).
Clinical Interventions in Aging, 14, 1243-1254.
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluate the effect of cognitive stimulation therapy of variable duration on cognitive outcomes in individuals with Alzheimer's disease.
National Natural Science Foundation of China
The data in this systematic review are available elsewhere in the Evidence Maps. See the Associated Article(s) section below for more information.
From database inception to May 25, 2019
Randomized controlled trials
20, with 5 included in meta-analysis
<div>Findings demonstrated a positive effect (mean difference [MD] = 1.10) of cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) plus pharmacotherapy on cognitive function in individuals with Alzheimer's disease. A greater reduction in behaviors associated with dementia was additionally noted with CST plus pharmacotherapy compared to pharmacotherapy alone (MD = −2.14). Length of duration had a positive impact on outcome, with longer-term CST resulting in improved cognitive function (MD = 2.54) when compared to short-term (MD = 1.05) and maintenance CST (MD = 0.83).</div>
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<div>Limitations for the review included a lack of study of the effect of CST in isolation (i.e. without pharmacotherapy), the lack of in-depth evaluation of cognition versus use of a screening tool, limited methodological rigor within studies included, and a limited number of studies investing the effects of CST. Further research is warranted.</div>
