Persons With Moderate Alzheimer's Disease Improve Activities and Mood via Instruction Technology

• Published in: American journal of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias 2009-06, Vol.24 (3), p.246-257
• Main Authors: Lancioni, Giulio E., Singh, Nirbhay N., O'Reilly, Mark F., Sigafoos, Jeff, Pangrazio, Maria Teresa, Megna, Marisa, Zonno, Nadia, La Martire, Maria L., Pinto, Katia, Minervini, Mauro G.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Activities of Daily Living; Affect; Aged; Alzheimer Disease - psychology; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Severity of Illness Index; Tape Recording; Teaching - methods; Verbal Behavior
• ISSN: 1533-3175; 1938-2731
• DOI: 10.1177/1533317509332627

Background: Three studies assessed the (a) effectiveness of verbal instructions presented via technology in helping persons with moderate Alzheimer's disease perform daily activities and (b) impact of activity engagement on mood. Methods: The 3 studies targeted coffee preparation with 2 women, use of make-up with 2 women, and use of make-up and tea preparation with 3 women. Intervention effects on activity performance were assessed through nonconcurrent multiple baseline designs across participants or multiple baseline designs across activities. The impact of activity on mood was assessed by recording indices of happiness during activity trials and parallel nonactivity periods. Results: Verbal instructions presented via technology were effective in helping all participants perform the target activities. The participants also showed mood improvement (ie, increases in indices of happiness) during the activity. Conclusion: These results suggest that the approach reported may be a useful strategy for helping persons with Alzheimer's disease.