Neuropsychological rehabilitation program in cognitive impairment and dementia

The recent clinical studies about cognitive rehabilitation refers that intervention in ability rehearsal and familiar directions are important to elderly people with mild cognitive impairment or dementia in initial phase, as well as the correct use of appropriate drugs. We assisted 5 subjects: 3 with early stage of probable Alzheimer's disease, 1 with Frontotemporal dementia and 1 with Mild Cognitive Decline. All of them were submitted to neurological and neuropsychological evaluations at first stage, then they initiated rehabilitation program. Reality orientation, reminiscence and spaced-retrieval interventions have been used. All families in the treatment group received training by members of the research team. Only patients with AD were taking medicament. We evaluated them after one year. Despite the results were different among patients, our rehabilitation program has demonstrated efficacy in small groups, suggest that training and cognitive stimulation may produce gains in some patients, speciality in the quality of life.UNIFESP, Dept Psychobiol, Sao Paulo, BrazilUNIFESP, Dept Psychobiol, Sao Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc