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Can leisure activities slow dementia progression in nursing home residents? A cluster-randomized controlled trial

2014; Cambridge University Press; Volume: 26; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1017/s1041610213002524

1741-203X

Sheung‐Tak Cheng, Pizza Ka Yee Chow, You‐Qiang Song, Edwin C. S. Yu, John Lam,

Geriatric Care and Nursing Homes

ABSTRACT Background: To examine the effects of complex cognitive (mahjong) and physical (Tai Chi) activities on dementia severity in nursing home residents with dementia. Methods: Cluster-randomized open-label controlled design. 110 residents were randomized by nursing home into three conditions: mahjong, Tai Chi, and simple handicrafts (control). Activities were conducted three times a week for 12 weeks. Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) was taken at 0 (baseline), 3 (post-treatment), 6, and 9 months. The outcome measure was CDR sum-of-box, which is a composite measure of both cognitive and functional deterioration in dementia. Results: Intent-to-treat analyses were performed using multilevel regression models. Apolipoprotein E ε4 allele and education were included as covariates. Neither treatments had effects on the cognitive and functional components of the CDR, but mahjong had a significant interaction with time on the CDR sum-of-box total, suggesting a slower rate of global deterioration in the mahjong group as compared with the control group. Conclusions: Mahjong led to a gradual improvement in global functioning and a slightly slower rate of dementia progression over time. The effect was generalized and was not specific to cognition or daily functioning.