Adaptação, validação e eficácia do Cognitive Stimulation Therapy para as pessoas com demência em Portugal

Abstract

Context: Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) is an evidence-based program, cost-effective, to improve cognitive function and quality of life for people with mild to moderate dementia.
Aims: To adapt and validate the CST for people with dementia in Portugal and test its effectiveness.
Methods: The cultural adaptation followed the Formative Method for Adapting Psychotherapy (FMAP). For the validation of the CST, a single-blind, multi-center, randomized controlled trial was conducted and recruited 112 older people with dementia. Cognition, behavior / autonomy, anxiety, depression and quality of life were tested. We also explored whether CST benefited people with dementia differently according to the context and level of cognitive reserve.
Results: Some modifications were necessary in adapting culturally the program, especially related to linguistic issues. The adapted program proved to be feasible, well accepted and valid for people with dementia in Portugal. The CST intervention group showed significant improvements compared to treatment as usual group in cognition, communication, behavior and overall functioning. Conclusions: CST-Portugal
is an adapted and valid program with benefits for people with mild to moderate dementia regardless of the context and their cognitive reserve.

Date of Award	15 Jun 2021
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Maria Vânia Silva Nunes (Supervisor)