Efeito da estimulação cognitiva em Idosos

Abstract

Abstract Context: evidence suggests that cognitive stimulation (CS) has a positive effect on cognition, depressive symptomatology (DS), and autonomy in elderly people. Objectives: to analyze the effectiveness of cognitive stimulation on cognition, DS, and autonomy in instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) of the senior community. Methodology: experimental study with pre- and post-test, with a sample of 23 elders, 30.43% men and 69.57% women, mean age of 77.66, SD 7.73 years. We used the Portuguese versions of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, the Geriatric Depression Scale-15 and the Lawton Brody Scale for Instrumental Activities of Daily Living. The experimental group received 14 treatment sessions with CS. Results: elders undergoing CS improved their cognitive state and the intervention explained the variation of 17.86%. Although the evidence is not conclusive about the effect of CS in DS and IADL, 20% and 17%, respectively, more of the elders improved their clinical condition compared to those who were not treated. Conclusions: the cognitive stimulation improved senior´s cognitive condition therefore we recommend its implementation as a component of care for the elderly in a community context. Further studies ought to include larger samples as well as maintenance program and follow-up in order to strengthen and clarify these results. Keywords: cognition; stimulation; older people; dementia