In the article, "Non-pharmacological, multicomponent group therapy in patients with degenerative dementia: a 12-month randomized control trial," researchers examined the effects of a long-term, non-pharmacological group intervention on cognitive function and ability to carry out activities of daily living versus usual care for people with degenerative dementia. The intervention group was divided into smaller groups of 10 individuals who received motor stimulation, practice in ADLs, and cognitive stimulation as a part of a group therapy intervention. The control group received usual treatment for cognitive function and ability to perform ADLs. This study took place over a span of twelve months. In the end, the researchers discovered that a highly standardized, non-pharmacological, multi-component group intervention in a nursing home was able to significantly postpone a decline in cognitive function in dementia patients and in their ability to carry out activities of daily living. At the end of the twelve months, the group that received usual care had a significant decline in cognitive function and ability to perform ADLs.
I chose this article because I have a personal connection to dementia and have been so frustrated with understanding the role of occupational therapy in treating clients with dementia. I am so desperate to learn how to slow the process of cognitive decline and help clients with dementia be as independent as possible for as long as possible. I find it so encouraging that this article found a significant difference in the population that received group intervention and the population that received usual care.
I think that this article definitely speaks to the power of groups. I know for me personally, I have benefitted so much from building connections, talking out problems, and finding common ground with my group members. By participating in groups, the individuals in these study experience significantly less cognitive decline and inability to perform ADLs. I believe that there is a very real mind-body connection between working out the emotional and psychological problems we face and the ability of your body to function to the best of its ability. In the future, I want to utilize groups as much as possible in my practice in order to provide the biggest benefit possible to my clients.
Graessel, E., Stemmer, R., Eichenseer, B., Pickel, S., Donath, C., Kornhuber, J., & Luttenberger, K. (2011, December 1). Non-pharmacological, multi-component group therapy in patients with degenerative dementia: a 12-month randomized, controlled trial. Retrieved March 7, 2018, from https://bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1741-7015-9-129
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