Abstract
Non-pharmacological intervention has been reported to reduce the symptoms of dementia. However, the few studies to have examined the effects of occupational therapy, emphasize specific domains, such as physical, functional and quality of life. This study aimed to investigate the effects of occupational therapy on multiple key functional domains in patients with mild to moderate dementia. An open label randomized control trial was conducted among patients attending 2 memory clinics in India. Of 319 attendees screened, 100 had dementia (DSM-IV criteria) and were randomized to a novel occupational therapy programme of 2 sessions per week including relaxation, physical and cognitive exercises, and personal and recreational activities or standard medical treatment (control). Participants were reassessed after 5 weeks. The mean age of participants was 69.4 years with 78% male, 18 participants were lost to follow-up. Experimental and control participants were matched for demographic factors and severity of dementia. Using an intention to treat analysis the intervention group showed improvement in the primary outcomes. Geriatric Depression Scale (14.8 ± 4.4 to 13.3 ± 4.1; 95% CI (0.9, 2.0), Bristol Activities of Daily Living scale (23.1 ± 6.1 to 17.5 ± 4.7; 95% CI (3.8, 7.2), Modified Physical Performance Test (17.0 ± 3.1 to 19.6 ± 3.7; 95% CI (3.8, 7.2). Significant improvements were also noted in MMSE, BEHAVE-AD and the physical, psychological and environmental domain of WHOQOL-BREF (p<0.01).This novel occupational therapy programme can improve physical performance, functionality, mood, cognition, behavioural status, and quality of life in mild to moderate dementia patients at short-term. Future studies are required to assess long term effects