DOI: 10.1002/alz.
056213
DEMENTIA CARE PRACTICE (DESCRIPTIVE)
POSTER PRESENTATION
Efficacy of cognitive stimulation therapy virtual program for
older adults with dementia in COVID-19 isolation
Cintia P Sanchez
Lucidity Day Care Elder Center, Mexico, EM,
Mexico
Correspondence
Cintia P Sanchez, Lucidity Day Care Elder
Center, Mexico, EM, Mexico
Email: cin_sh@hotmail.com
Alzheimer’s Dement. 2021;17(Suppl. 8):e056213.
https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.056213
Abstract
Background: Cognitive stimulation virtual therapy (CSVT) is an evidence-based psy-
chosocial intervention for people with mild-to-moderate dementia due to various etio-
logical factors.
Objective: The aim of the present study was to assess the efficacy of a cognitive stim-
ulation virtual therapy CSVT program, in individuals who have vascular or Alzheimer
dementia in COVID-19 isolation.
Methods: Older adults with mild vascular or Alzheimer dementia (N = 20) were
assigned to one of two programs: one group (N = 10) attended during six months, two
sessions per week program of the cognitive stimulation virtual therapy CSVT program,
while the other, active control group (N = 10) took part in alternative activities. The
following tests were applied to their primary caregivers. A short form of the Informant
Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE) and quality of life (Quality
of Life (QoL)
Results: Compared with the active controls, the cognitive stimulation virtual therapy
CSVT program showed a greater improvement in general cognitive functioning after
the intervention (i.e. score increase on the IQCODE test). A trend towards improve-
ment was also identified in short term/working memory and perceived quality of life
(Quality of life (QoL) of elderly with dementia). The primary caregivers also perceived
an improvement in mood, stress, anxiety and quality of sleep after the start of the vir-
tual therapy during COVID-19 isolation.
Conclusion: The present results support the efficacy of cognitive stimulation virtual
therapy CSVT program in people with dementia during COVID-19 isolation.
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