Abstract:
The study examined the effect of an individualized social activities intervention (ISAI) on quality of life among older adults with mild to moderate cognitive impairment in a geriatric psychiatry facility. This randomized control trial consisted of 52 older adults (65 years of age or older). A 2 (group condition) x 2 (time of measurement) design was used to compare the control (treatment-as-usual) and intervention (treatment-as-usual plus ISAI) conditions at pre- and post-treatment. ISAI consisted of 30- to 60-minute sessions for up to 15 consecutive days. Intent-to-treat analyses indicated a significant Time x Group Condition interaction on quality of life, with this effect remaining when only completer data were included. There was no evidence of a significant treatment effect on behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. Findings suggest that individualized social activities are a promising treatment for cognitively impaired geriatric inpatients.
