An exploratory study of the "active ingredients" that lead to positive outcomes following cognitive stimulation therapy in dementia care and clinical research portfolio

Gibson, Ashley (2018) An exploratory study of the "active ingredients" that lead to positive outcomes following cognitive stimulation therapy in dementia care and clinical research portfolio. D Clin Psy thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Background: The efficacy and effectiveness of Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) in improving cognition and quality of life (QoL) in individuals with dementia has been well demonstrated (e.g. Spector Thorgrimsen, Woods et al., 2003). However, less is known about the mechanisms of change for these positive outcomes.

Objective: This study aimed to explore potential mechanisms of change for CST, including loneliness, social-connectedness and self-efficacy.

Design: A within group repeated measure study was adopted. Participants included older adults with mild-moderate dementia participating in CST groups within Older People Community Mental Health Teams across Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

Methods: Participants were asked to complete assessment measures on loneliness, social connectedness and self-efficacy prior to, during, and following CST intervention. Wilcoxon signed rank tests explored whether there were significant differences in outcome scores post CST. Spearman correlations examined the relationship between changes in cognition and QoL scores with changes in loneliness, social connectedness and self-efficacy scores post CST.

Results: Recruitment was lower than anticipated, with 22 participants recruited and 15 completing pre and post assessments. A significant improvement for self-efficacy was found post CST. Improved QoL scores were associated with decreased loneliness and improved self-efficacy post CST.

Conclusions: There are suggestions within these preliminary findings that self-efficacy improves following CST, which is a novel finding. Results also revealed that improvements in QoL were associated with improvements in loneliness and self-efficacy following CST. However, the small sample size in this study means that conclusions that can be drawn are limited. Future research needs to clarify the role of loneliness and self-efficacy in the context of outcomes for CST intervention.

• Item Type: Thesis (D Clin Psy)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Keywords: older adult, dementia, cognitive stimulation, social connectedness, self-efficacy.
• Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology; H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
• Colleges/Schools: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing
• Supervisor's Name: Evans, Professor Jonathan
• Date of Award: 2018
• Depositing User: Dr Ashley Gibson
• Unique ID: glathesis:2018-30818
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 05 Oct 2018 07:44
• Last Modified: 30 Jan 2019 14:50
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/30818