Efficacy Assessment of Three Non Pharmacological Therapies in Alzheimer's Disease

Summary

ETNA3 is a multicentric randomised clinical trial conducted in France to evaluate the impact of cognitive training, reminiscence therapy and a "made-to-measure" program on the progression rate of dementia.

Conditions

• Alzheimer's Disease

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Standard intervention protocol

The control group involves a standardized medical follow-up of patients with Alzheimer's disease and a psychoeducative group program for caregivers of patients.

BEHAVIORAL

Standard intervention protocol + Cognitive training therapy

"Cognitive training therapy" is provided in small groups of 5 to 8 patients. It consists in classroom type sessions designed to provide general cognitive stimulation. A set of standard cognitive exercises (involving memory, attention, or problem-solving…) related to activities of daily living is realized at each session.

BEHAVIORAL

Standard intervention protocol + Reminiscence therapy

"Reminiscence therapy" is provided in small groups of 5 to 8 patients. This therapy involves the discussion of past activities, events and experiences enhanced by aids such as photographs, familiar items, songs, or personal recordings. A particular topic of life (i.e. a wedding) is discussed at each session.

BEHAVIORAL

Standard intervention protocol + "Made-to-measure" program

The "made to measure" program involves no systematic intervention. The psychologist is asked to choose among the two possible therapies ("Cognitive training therapy" or "Reminiscence therapy") the one more suitable for the patient after considering his clinical characteristics including socio-demographic characteristics, disease severity or cognitive and behavioural disturbance. It is an individualized approach emphasizing the importance of flexibility to allow adjustment to individual needs.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Caisse Nationale de Solidarité pour l'Autonomie

  collaborator OTHER

• National Health Insurance Fund for Unemployed Workers

  collaborator OTHER

• Direction Générale de la Santé, France

  collaborator OTHER

• Institut National de la Santé Et de la Recherche Médicale, France

  collaborator OTHER_GOV

• Université Victor Segalen Bordeaux 2

  collaborator OTHER

• University Hospital, Bordeaux

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Jean-François, Dartigues, MD, PhD · University Hospital, Bordeaux

• Geneviève Chêne, MD, PhD · University Hospital, Bordeaux

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

50 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2008-03-31

Primary Completion

2010-12-31

Completion

2012-12-31

Countries

• France

Study Locations