A randomized, controlled, clinical trial of activity therapy for apathy in patients with dementia residing in long‐term care
AM Politis, S Vozzella, LS Mayer…�- …�journal of geriatric�…, 2004 - Wiley Online Library
International journal of geriatric psychiatry, 2004•Wiley Online Library
Background Apathy is a common symptom in patients with dementia and has adverse
consequences for patients and caregivers. Most treatments for apathy, particularly non‐
pharmacologic interventions, have not been evaluated in controlled trials. Objectives This
study evaluated the efficacy of a kit‐based activity intervention, compared to a time and
attention control (one‐on‐one meetings with an activity therapist) in reducing apathy and
improving quality of life in 37 patients with dementia. Methods The design was a�…
consequences for patients and caregivers. Most treatments for apathy, particularly non‐
pharmacologic interventions, have not been evaluated in controlled trials. Objectives This
study evaluated the efficacy of a kit‐based activity intervention, compared to a time and
attention control (one‐on‐one meetings with an activity therapist) in reducing apathy and
improving quality of life in 37 patients with dementia. Methods The design was a�…
Background
Apathy is a common symptom in patients with dementia and has adverse consequences for patients and caregivers. Most treatments for apathy, particularly non‐pharmacologic interventions, have not been evaluated in controlled trials.
Objectives
This study evaluated the efficacy of a kit‐based activity intervention, compared to a time and attention control (one‐on‐one meetings with an activity therapist) in reducing apathy and improving quality of life in 37 patients with dementia.
Methods
The design was a randomized, controlled, partially masked clinical trial. All outcome measures were administered at baseline and follow‐up. The primary outcome measure was the apathy score of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). Other outcome measures were the NPI total score, the Alzheimer Disease Related Quality of Life scale(ADQRL), and the Copper Ridge Activity Index (CRAI).
Results
There was a significant reduction in NPI apathy scores in both treatment groups. The only significant difference between the two treatment groups was a modest advantage for the control intervention on the CRAI cueing subscale (p = 0.027), but not on the other CRAI subscales. There was also a greater within group improvement in quality of life ratings in the control intervention (p = 0.03).
Conclusions
Despite the substantial improvement in apathy scores during the course of the study, there was no clear advantage to the reminiscence‐based intervention over the time and attention, one‐on‐one control intervention. More research is needed to develop specific behavioral interventions for apathy in patients with dementia. Copyright � 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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