Feasibility and efficacy of cognitive telerehabilitation in early Alzheimer’s disease: a pilot study

• DOI: 10.2147/cia.s68145
• Publication Date: 2014-09-25T01:14:03Z
• Authors: Annachiara Cagnin; Nela Jelcic; Michela Agostini; Francesca Meneghello; Sara Parise; Antonietta Galano; Paolo Tonin; Mauro Dam; Cinzia Busse
• Keywords: Telerehabilitation; Cognitive rehabilitation therapy

Background: This pilot study compared the effects of lexical-semantic stimulation through telecommunication technology (LSS-tele) with in-person LSS (LSS-direct) and unstructured cognitive treatment (UCS) in patients early Alzheimer’s disease. Methods: Twenty-seven disease very stage (Mini-Mental State Examination [MMSE] >26/30) were divided into three groups: seven received LSS-tele treatment, ten standard LSS-direct intervention, participants underwent UCS as control condition. Intervention treatments consisted two weekly sessions (through teleconference or face to depending on group assignment) exercises administered small groups throughout a 3-month period. The main outcome measures changes global performance, language abilities, memory function. Secondary attention, working memory, executive functions, visual-spatial abilities tests. Results: mean MMSE score improved significantly treatments; both phonemic semantic, stabilized delayed verbal episodic respect an performance after intervention decline observed group. Improvement was not achieved any neuropsychological test UCS. Conclusion: Clinical application rehabilitation elderly neurodegenerative impairment is feasible may improve performance. Technical aspects ameliorate efficacy delivery further its impact domain-specific abilities. Keywords: rehabilitation, telecommunication, telemedicine