Jennifer Couch, Samuel T Gontkovsky and Naoko Shirota
Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Neurol Neurophysiol
Given the few options and limited efficacy of current medications for treating the cognitive/functional deficits associated with chronic dementia, there has been increased emphasis on the development of non-pharmacological approaches both for slowing the progressive decline and for delaying the onset of new symptoms associated with this disorder. The Cognitive Therapeutics Method (CTM) is an individualized program that provides non-pharmacological interventions to patients within their homes involving cognitive stimulation/training, social stimulation, sensory stimulation, exercise, dietary modifications, recreation, and stress management. This report describes an 89-year-old, female with dementia due to neurodegenerative disease and vascular complications who participated in CTM for a period of 40 weeks. Nearly 80% of her intervention time was spent in cognitive stimulation/training. The Frontal Systems Behavior Scale was used to compare the patient?s pre-intervention and post-intervention functioning. The FrsBE is a rating scale developed to assess behavioral issues commonly associated with injury to the frontal systems of the brain. The FrsBE family rating form was completed by the patient?s son. From pre- intervention to post-intervention, FrsBE scores indicated a 1.3 standard deviation improvement in overall functioning on the part of the patient. Examination of specific subscales revealed a 2.0 standard deviation decrease in apathy and a 0.7 standard deviation decrease in executive dysfunction. There was no change in disinhibition, although her score on this particular subscale was not within the clinically significant range prior to initiating intervention. Findings provide preliminary evidence to support CTM as a valid non-pharmacological intervention program for dementia.
