Cognitive Stimulation in Older Adults With Alzheimer's Disease

Summary

This multicentre study, employing a randomised controlled repeated measures experimental design, will be conducted in several Portuguese institutions that provide care and support services for older adults diagnosed with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD). The primary aim is to evaluate the effects of two distinct cognitive stimulation modalities (digital vs physical/analogue). The study will assess the impact of individual cognitive stimulation on multiple domains - specifically cognitive function (with an emphasis on memory and executive function), mood, and quality of life - and investigate how institutional and territorial characteristics influence these effects, considering geographical and organisational diversity as potential moderating factors.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

* Age 65 or older.
* Receive care/support services for at least three months.
* A diagnosis of probable AD according to the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition, text revision.
* Preserved communication skills.
* Native Portuguese speaker.
* Total scores between 10 and 26 points on the Mini Mental State Examination.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Cannot read and write.
* Significant sensory or physical limitations.
* Acute or chronic illness preventing participation.
* Severe communication impairment.
* Aggressive or disruptive behaviour.
* Recent initiation (within two months) of neuroleptics, antipsychotics, or other psychoactive medications.

Conditions5