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Can leisure activities slow dementia progression in nursing home residents? A cluster-randomized controlled trial

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 January 2014

Sheung-Tak Cheng ,
Pizza K. Chow ,
You-Qiang Song ,
Edwin C. S. Yu  and
John H. M. Lam
Sheung-Tak Cheng*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychological Studies, Hong Kong Institute of Education, Hong Kong Center for Psychosocial Health and Aging, Hong Kong Institute of Education, Hong Kong
Pizza K. Chow
Affiliation:
Department of Psychological Studies, Hong Kong Institute of Education, Hong Kong
You-Qiang Song
Affiliation:
Department of Biochemistry, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Edwin C. S. Yu
Affiliation:
Department of Psychogeriatrics, Kwai Chung Hospital, Hong Kong
John H. M. Lam
Affiliation:
Department of Psychological Studies, Hong Kong Institute of Education, Hong Kong
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Sheung-Tak Cheng, Department of Psychological Studies, Hong Kong Institute of Education, 10 Lo Ping Road, Tai Po, N.T., Hong Kong. Phone: +852 2948 6563; Fax: +852 2948 7702. Email: takcheng@ied.edu.hk.
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Abstract

Background:

To examine the effects of complex cognitive (mahjong) and physical (Tai Chi) activities on dementia severity in nursing home residents with dementia.

Methods:

Cluster-randomized open-label controlled design. 110 residents were randomized by nursing home into three conditions: mahjong, Tai Chi, and simple handicrafts (control). Activities were conducted three times a week for 12 weeks. Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) was taken at 0 (baseline), 3 (post-treatment), 6, and 9 months. The outcome measure was CDR sum-of-box, which is a composite measure of both cognitive and functional deterioration in dementia.

Results:

Intent-to-treat analyses were performed using multilevel regression models. Apolipoprotein E ε4 allele and education were included as covariates. Neither treatments had effects on the cognitive and functional components of the CDR, but mahjong had a significant interaction with time on the CDR sum-of-box total, suggesting a slower rate of global deterioration in the mahjong group as compared with the control group.

Conclusions:

Mahjong led to a gradual improvement in global functioning and a slightly slower rate of dementia progression over time. The effect was generalized and was not specific to cognition or daily functioning.

Keywords

dementialeisure activitiescognitive declinecluster-randomized controlled trial
Type
Research Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 26 , Issue 4 , April 2014 , pp. 637 - 643
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2014 

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