Alzheimer's Disease Reminiscence Quality of Life

NCT01295957 | Completed Phase 4

• 1 other identifier: PSI851
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 135
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The effectiveness of reminiscence for dementia has been claimed as an effective tool, but scientific validation and systematic assessment of this method is needed. Materials and Methods: A randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted to search whether a reminiscence program is associated with improvement of quality of life of demented long term care residents. The trial had three arms: interventional, comparison and control. The reminiscence program was modeled within a life-story approach, while comparison group received informal counseling to control for changes in quality of life resulting from social contacts. The Social Engagement Scale (SES) and Self-rated Quality of Life Index (SRQoL) were the outcome measures. The results were examined at baseline (T0), twelve weeks (T1), and 6 months (T2) after intervention. The sample had 135 subjects \[intervention group (N=45), comparison group (N=45) and control group (N=45)\].

Conditions

Alzheimer's Disease

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• self rated quality of life

  SRQoL measured using a multidimensional self-report instrument with 11 dimensions: comfort, functional competence, privacy, dignity, autonomy, meaningful activities, relationships, food enjoyment, spiritual well-being, security, and individuality. Each dimension is scored on a 4-point Likert scale, with 4 meaning often, 3 sometimes, 2 rarely and 1 never. Residents unable to use the 4-point scale could answer ''generally yes'' or ''generally no.'' These responses are scored as 3.8 and 1.5, respectively, based on a z score approximation method.

  12 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Social engagement scale

  12 weeks

Study Arms (3)

reminiscence therapy, story telling

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

24 bi-weekly sessions of reminiscence therapy, lasting one hour each one, over a period of 12 weeks. Refers to the use of images, sentences or memorabilia which help to focus on specific segments of the life history of an individual, and stimulates the emergence of affect-laden personal recalls, which are later verbalized in the context of guided conversations. The term story life is intended to highlight samples of meaningful events of the subject's life rather than a historically structured biography. Three main variables contributed to successful reminiscing: individuality, evaluation and structure.

Behavioral: reminiscence therapy

comparison

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

control group was administered counseling and informal social contacts in bi-weekly sessions of one hour, but they didn't participate in reminiscence sessions to rule out the possibility that improvement in quality of life was due only to attention received and social stimulation.

Behavioral: comparison group

control

NO INTERVENTION

control group was administered counseling and informal social contacts in bi-weekly sessions of one hour,

Other: control

Interventions

reminiscence therapy BEHAVIORAL

24 bi-weekly sessions of reminiscence therapy, lasting one hour each one, over a period of 12 weeks. The latter refers to the use of images, sentences or memorabilia which help to focus on specific segments of the life history of an individual, and stimulates the emergence of affect-laden personal recalls, which are later verbalized in the context of guided conversations12. The term story life is intended to highlight samples of meaningful events of the subject's life rather than a historically structured biography13. Three main variables contributed to reminiscing: individuality, evaluation and structure.

Also known as: reminiscence intervention

reminiscence therapy, story telling

comparison group BEHAVIORAL

The control group was administered counseling and informal social contacts in bi-weekly sessions of one hour, common subjects addressed by comparison group were social security incomes, diets, family visits.

Also known as: comparison

comparison

control OTHER

advise and informal counseling

control

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 65 Years - 87 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Alzheimer's disease
• Able to communicate

You may not qualify if:

• Active major psychiatric disorders
• Acute or unstable chronic medical conditions
• Blindness
• Deafness

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Universidad Nacional de Rosario: lead

Study Sites (1)

Faculty of Psychology

Rosario, Santa Fe Province, 2000, Argentina

Location

Related Publications (2)

• Spector A, Thorgrimsen L, Woods B, Royan L, Davies S, Butterworth M, Orrell M. Efficacy of an evidence-based cognitive stimulation therapy programme for people with dementia: randomised controlled trial. Br J Psychiatry. 2003 Sep;183:248-54. doi: 10.1192/bjp.183.3.248.

  PMID: 12948999 BACKGROUND

• Serrani Azcurra DJ. A reminiscence program intervention to improve the quality of life of long-term care residents with Alzheimer's disease: a randomized controlled trial. Braz J Psychiatry. 2012 Dec;34(4):422-33. doi: 10.1016/j.rbp.2012.05.008.

  PMID: 23429813 DERIVED

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Alzheimer Disease

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Dementia; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Tauopathies; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Neurocognitive Disorders; Mental Disorders

Study Officials

• daniel jl serrani azcurra, MD

  faculty of psychology

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: phase 4
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 14, 2011
• First Posted: February 15, 2011
• Study Start: January 1, 2010
• Primary Completion: August 1, 2010
• Study Completion: November 1, 2010
• Last Updated: February 15, 2011

Record last verified: 2010-02

Locations

AR (1)