Virtual Individual Cognitive Stimulation Therapy: a Proof of Concept Study

Summary

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Dementia, a global epidemic, affects 50 million individuals worldwide. Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) is the only non-pharmacological therapy recommended by the UK government to improve cognition for mild to moderate dementia. It is routinely delivered in over 85% of National Health Services (N...

Dementia, a global epidemic, affects 50 million individuals worldwide. Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) is the only non-pharmacological therapy recommended by the UK government to improve cognition for mild to moderate dementia. It is routinely delivered in over 85% of National Health Services (NHS) services and offered in 33 countries. Unfortunately, this routine treatment is suspended due to lockdown, even though people with dementia are disproportionately affected by COVID-19. Accessible treatment is a pressing need. Virtual Individual Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (viCST) aims to bridge this treatment gap as an evidence-based treatment for dementia, developed within the Medical Research Council (MRC) Framework for complex interventions using principles of CST. There may still be a demand for viCST post-pandemic because those with sensory impairments and lack of transport provision may prefer a virtual and individual treatment. The investigators aim to 1) design viCST; 2) evaluate viCST in a feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT). A sample of 34 participants will be recruited. Seventeen will be allocated to viCST, and 17 to treatment as usual (TAU), the control group. Data will be collected pre-and post-test. Dementia prevalence is projected to reach 152 million worldwide by 2050. Therefore, accessible treatment is paramount during the pandemic and beyond.

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