A Study on the Application of a Dementia Prevention Program and It's Effect Test / 재활간호학회지

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study was to apply a dementia prevention program to the subjects who were suspected of dementia and test its effect. This study was one group pretest-posttest design. The dementia prevention program was applied for 20 weeks to the 19 subjects who were suspected of dementia after a screen test among 638 subjects enrolled in 10 senior citizen's centers in G city. The scores of measured before and after the program. The data collected were analyzed using a SPSS (statistical analysis system) program, and frequencies, averages and standard deviations were obtained. The differences of the scores of the pretest and posttest were analyzed with Mann-Whitney test and sign test. The results were as follows 1. After the program, the average score of self-efficacy was increased from 75.31 (standard deviation 11.99) to 84.26 (standard deviation 13.92). 2. There are no differences between the average scores of physical and psychological quality of life, however, the average score of social quality of life was slightly increased from 2.25 (standard deviation 0.40) to 2.53 (standard deviation 0.43), and the overall score of social quality of life was low. 3. The average score of cognition was significantly increased from 21.00 (standard deviation 2.60) to 24.58 (standard deviation 3.37), thus, it was found that the program was effective to improve the cognition level. 4. The score differences of self-efficacy, quality of life, cognition between the pretest and posttest were statistically significant. 5. The score differences of quality of life between the pretest and posttest were found to be dependent on marital status, exercise and regular chechup yes or no. In conclusion, the program was effective to prevent the subjects suspected of dementia from dementia.