ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the efficacy of 48-sessioned cognitive stimulation programs (CSP) in solitary elderlies with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia. METHODS: Among 194 subjects, 125 were CSP participants and 69 were controls. Korean version of Mini-Mental Status Examination for Dementia Screening (MMSE-DS), Global Deterioration Scale, Seoul-Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (S-IADL) and Korean version of Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form, Korean Quality of Life-Alzheimer's Disease (KQoL-AD) were assessed. Outcomes were measured at baseline and after 48th session. we analyzed these collected data. RESULTS: In CSP group, MMSE-DS (p8) was 0.873 (95% CI=0.773-0.985). CONCLUSION: CSP improved cognition and quality of life in solitary elderly individuals with MCI or dementia. Also, CSP reduced relative risk of MCI and dementia by 50.8% and ADL impairment by 12.7%. Although we expect CSP might be helpful to prevent cognitive problems of them, appropriate public mental health programs are still needed for their emotional wellbeing.