English researchers have concluded that a technique called cognitive stimulation group therapy helps to improve both the thinking ability and quality of life of people with dementia. Dr Martin Orrell, of University College London, and colleagues studied 167 dementia sufferers over a period of 7 weeks. Ninety of the participants attended twice weekly, 45-minute cognitive stimulation group therapy sessions over the seven week study period, while the remaining 70 participants acted as a control group and did not attend any sessions. Results showed that those given therapy showed an improvement in thinking ability and quality of life. What’s more, the improvements in thinking ability were similar to those achieved with the use of drugs to treat Alzheimer’s disease.
SOURCE/REFERENCE: Br. J. Psychiatry 2003;183:248-254.
