Effects of health education in the elderly with mild cognitive impairment

Author(s)

Casemiro, Francine Golghetto ^[1] ; Quirino, Diana Monteiro ^[1] ; Andreotti Diniz, Maria Angelica ^[1] ; Partezani Rodrigues, Rosalina Aparecida ^[2] ; Iost Pavarini, Sofia Cristina ^[1] ; Martins Gratao, Aline Cristina ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Nursing Sch Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem; v. 71, n. 2, p. 801-810, 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 3

Abstract

Objective: to analyze the effects of health education on both cognition and depressive/anxiety symptoms in the elderly with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Method: this is a randomized and controlled clinical trial. Participants (n=22) were recruited from a specialized outpatient clinic, and assigned into two groups: a Health Education Group (HEG) (n=10) and a Control Group (CG) (n=12). The participants were evaluated before and after the intervention, which was composed of classes and dynamics. The intervention consisted of 20 meetings, over a period of five months. The assessment was performed by means of the Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination - Revised (ACER), the Mini-Mental State Examination to access participant's cognitive state, and the Beck's Scale to access depressive/anxiety symptoms. A Memory Complaints Scale (EQM) was also used. The analysis was carried out using the Student's t test for paired samples. Results: the HEG group demonstrated an improvement in attention/orientation (p=0,026), memory (p=0.001), language (p=0.033), and ACE-R (p=0.003). On the other hand, the CG did not present improvement. Conclusion: the results highlight the importance of non-pharmacological interventions in older adults with MCI to reduce cognitive deficits. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/18896-3 - Cognitive training as intervention strategy for elderly with mild cognitive impairment
• Grantee: Isabela Azevedo Rodrigues
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation