Implementing maintenance cognitive simulation therapy (CST) in practice: a randomised controlled trial (RCT) of training and monitoring studies

Abstract Background: Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) is a group psychosocial approach that has demonstrated benefits in cognition and quality of life for people with dementia. It is useful to determine if these benefits can be replicated in practice. Further research is also required to determine if outreach support is beneficial for staff members to implement the CST and maintenance CST programmes. Aim: To develop and evaluate the implementation of CST and maintenance CST, with the addition of outreach support determined by number of attendees to the programme. In addition to examining the impact of CST in practice on cognition and quality of life for the person with dementia. Methods: After preparation of the training materials a randomised controlled trial evaluated the impact of outreach support on the implementation of CST in practice. All participants received the CST manuals and DVD. A proportion of the participants were familiar with CST and the remainder were new to CST and received the full training package. Focus groups examined the views of staff on the maintenance CST programme and outreach support. An additional study examined CST in practice using basic outcome measures with people with dementia. Results: Significantly more maintenance CST groups were run in the group receiving outreach support compared to the control group. Additionally, staff members with prior experience of CST were more likely to run both CST programmes. The observational study demonstrated improvements in cognition for people with dementia in receipt of CST. Conclusion: Participants are more likely to run the programme if they have previous experience of CST and are in receipt of the outreach support for the CST and maintenance CST programme. Cognition can increase and quality of life can remain stable for people with mild to moderate dementia receiving CST as part of their usual care