A mentally stimulating activities program for the treatment of neuropsychiatric symptoms in Alzheimer’s disease

Authors

  • Angie L. Sardina, PhD
  • Suzanne Fitzsimmons, MSN, ARNP, GNP
  • Catherine M. Hoyt, BA
  • Linda L. Buettner, PhD

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/ajrt.2019.0200

Keywords:

mentally stimulating activities, support groups, apathy, Alzheimer’s disease, Depression

Abstract

This study evaluated whether a mentally stimulating activities (MSA) program reduced neuropsychiatric symptoms and improved cognitive status and quality of life, as compared to a support group for persons in the early stage of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This randomized controlled trial included 81 adults (aged 55+), who were randomly assigned to the MSA group (treatment) or a social support group (control). A repeated measures multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) identified that MSA participants significantly reduced apathy (p < 0.001) and depressive symptoms (p < 0.001), as well as improved cognitive status (p < 0.001) and quality of life (p < 0.001) as compared to the control group. A structured classroom-style MSA program may be a viable and therapeutic intervention to alleviate neuropsychiatric symptoms, and improve cognitive status and quality of life in early-stage AD.

Author Biographies

Angie L. Sardina, PhD

Department of Recreation Therapy, School of Health and Applied Human Sciences, College of Health and Human Services, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, North Carolina

Suzanne Fitzsimmons, MSN, ARNP, GNP

Community and Therapeutic Recreation, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina

Catherine M. Hoyt, BA

Department of Recreation Therapy, College of Health and Human Services, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, North Carolina

Linda L. Buettner, PhD

Community and Therapeutic Recreation, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina. Deceased

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Published

12/01/2019

How to Cite

Sardina, PhD, A. L., Fitzsimmons, MSN, ARNP, GNP, S., Hoyt, BA, C. M., & Buettner, PhD, L. L. (2019). A mentally stimulating activities program for the treatment of neuropsychiatric symptoms in Alzheimer’s disease. American Journal of Recreation Therapy, 18(4), 27–37. https://doi.org/10.5055/ajrt.2019.0200

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