Profile of Older Adults in Memory Outpatients’ Clinic Setting and effectiveness of Novel Occupational Therapy Intervention in Patients with Mild to Moderate Dementia

Researchers and clinicians are working hard for prevention and management of dementia and its complications, no definite remedy is available now. Our aim is to investigate effects of occupational therapy in maintaining quality of life of patients having mild to moderate dementia.

263 older subjects (new-182, old-81) were included between November 2010 and April 2013. After screening of all patients by a geriatrician, 192 were excluded having [Cognitive impairment with no dementia (CIND)]. Rest 71 patients were included after satisfying DSM IV criteria and were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. Experimental group received newly developed occupational therapy intervention along with the drug, and control group received only drug for a period of 5 weeks. Both groups were evaluated using the six outcome measures a) Folstein Mini Mental status examination, b) Geriatric Depression scale Hindi Version c)Bristol Activity of daily Living, d) Modified Physical Performance test, e) BEHAV-AD, f)WHO QOL [Hindi Version] obtained baseline and reassessment after 5 weeks.

Included subjects with mean age 69.39 having 33.80% of primary education, 32.39% up to class 12, 47.88% of living with spouse, 47.88% of living with spouse and family, 78.87% married, 16.9% widowed, 22.53% unemployed, 43.66% retired. After application of novel occupational therapy on experimental group there is statistically improvement in the domain of Depression, ADL, Physical performance, and quality of life, out of all six domains.

The study reveals that the newly developed occupational therapy program can improve behavioral status, functionality, physical performance, mood and quality of life in elderly dementia patient at short term. A follow up study is required to ascertain the long term effect of treatment.