Development and analysis of group intervention in occupational therapy for elderly with mild neurocognitive disorder

Abstract

Introduction: The rapid advance of the aging process contributes to the increase of chronic-degenerative diseases, such as Mild Neurocognitive Disorder (MND). Elderly with MND may present difficulties in performing instrumental activities of daily living and social participation, in addition to a higher conversion rate for dementias, compared to healthy elderly individuals. Objective: To describe and analyze a group intervention in Occupational Therapy with elderly with probable MND. Method: Prospective, quantitative, quasi-experimental study of “before and after” conception. A total of two interventions were carried out at the University Hospital of the Universidade de São Paulo, in 2014 and 2015. Each intervention covered 8 meetings and had the participation of 11 elderly. Dynamics were used to sensitize the tasks and cognitive abilities most affected in the elderly with MND and to share compensatory mnemonic strategies. For the analysis of the interventions, the instruments were applied before and after: Rivermead Memory Behavior Test; Pfeffer's Questionnaire and Subjective Memory Complaints Questionnaire. For intragroup statistical analysis, we used the Shapiro-Wilk and the non-parametric Wilcoxon tests. Results: There was a statistically significant change in total score of all the instruments applied. Thus, it showed the improvement of cognitive performance, improvement of ability in instrumental activities performance that involve more directly cognitive abilities and reduction of subjective complaints of memory of participants. Conclusion: Intervention is a potent resource for the intervention of the occupational therapist with the elderly with MND, favoring independence in daily occupations, reduction of memory complaints and improvement in cognitive performance.