Effects of an Integrative Learning Program on Community Dwelling Old People With Dementia

Summary

Objectives: To develop an integrative learning program and evaluate its effect on people with dementia. Methods: The study started from January 2017 to March 2018 and consisted of two stages. The first stage employed Delphi technique while the second an experimental design. An expert panel was invited to develop the integrative learning program based on the neuroplasticity and learning framework in the first stage. A mixed method approach was adopted for the evaluation of the program in the second stage. Questionnaires and clinical instruments were used to collect quantitative data. For qualitative data, verbatim transcripts of case conferences were coded, analyzed, and collapsed into themes and sub-themes by consensus. Results: Quantitatively, significant improvements in the participants' functional performance and well-being in the experimental groups, while qualitatively, improvements on their communications, emotions, connectedness with self and others, and well-being. Conclusion: Overall the evaluation was positive; however, larger sample size of old people from more community care centers would provide more conclusive results.

Conditions

• Dementia

Interventions

OTHER

Integrative Learning Program for Old People with Dementia

The program included modalities for reality orientation, daily living skills training, reminiscence therapy, multisensory stimulation, fall prevention program, mindfulness activities, Meridian exercise, brain health program (Four Arts of the Chinese Scholar which referred to zither, go, calligraphy and painting) and health education. It was also agreed that case managers, caregivers, and participants were free to choose these treatments or could be assigned to a treatment regime on a 'mix and match' basis to suit their personality traits for improving their abilities to meet their own needs. This program was developed by the team using Delphi technique.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Guangzhou Medical University

  collaborator OTHER

• Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine

  collaborator OTHER

• Tung Wah College

  collaborator OTHER

• Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine

  collaborator OTHER

• Hong Kong Nang Yan College of Higher Education

  collaborator OTHER

• Ginger Knowledge Transfer and Consultancy Limited

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Education University of Hong Kong

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2017-05-01

Primary Completion

2017-11-30

Completion

2018-03-31

Countries

• Hong Kong

Study Locations