A Randomized Controlled Trial of Brain-Activating Rehabilitation for Elderly Participants with Dementia in Residential Care Homes

Abstract

Background/Aims: We aimed to prove the effectiveness of brain-activating rehabilitation for dementia, which consisted of 5 principles: pleasant atmosphere, communication, praising, social role, and supportive care. Methods: The design was a randomized controlled trial that was not blinded. Fifty-four elderly participants with dementia (mean age: 85.2 years) were selected. Intervention based on the 5 principles of brain-activating rehabilitation was conducted for 1 h, twice a week, for 12 weeks (24 sessions). The control group had no treatment. Outcome measures consisted of two observation scales, namely sum of boxes in clinical dementia rating (CDR-SB) and the multidimensional observation scale for elderly subjects (MOSES), and two cognitive tests: the Hasegawa dementia scale revised (HDS-R) and trail making test A. Results: Repeated measure ANCOVA showed a significant interaction for total score of CDR-SB (F = 7.190, p = 0.015) and MOSES (F = 4.525, p = 0.038). There were no significant changes in the two cognitive test scores. Conclusion: Intervention based on the principles of brain-activating rehabilitation was effective in maintaining and improving daily life functions in elderly participants with dementia in residential care homes.

Prevention of cognitive and physical decline by enjoyable walking‐habituation program based on brain‐activating rehabilitation

“…The Takasaki Hirameki walking‐habituation program is carried out in a small group, and is based on the five principles of brain‐activating rehabilitation: pleasant atmosphere, communication, social roles, praising each other and supportive care. The aim of brain‐activating rehabilitation is to enhance social relationships and motivation, and maximize the use of their remaining functions . Activities with errorless learning enhance a pleasant atmosphere and dignity .…”

“…The aim of brain-activating rehabilitation is to enhance social relationships and motivation, and maximize the use of their remaining functions. 8,28 Activities with errorless learning enhance a pleasant atmosphere and dignity. 28 Brain-activating rehabilitation induces happy feelings and empathetic two-way communication between staff members and participants, as well as between participants.…”

“…We modified the walking‐habituation program to maximize the efficacy of the walking habit by introducing the five principles of brain‐activating rehabilitation: pleasant atmosphere, interactive communication, social roles, praising each other and errorless support. We have already shown that brain‐activating rehabilitation improves cognitive function, and reduces behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia in demented subjects . The intervention program, used in the current study, requested the participants to have tasks during walking, and to praise each other for the products of their tasks after walking.…”

“…We have already shown that brain-activating rehabilitation improves cognitive function, and reduces behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia in demented subjects. 8 The intervention program, used in the current study, requested the participants to have tasks during walking, and to praise each other for the products of their tasks after walking. This made walking more pleasurable.…”

Comparison between group and personal rehabilitation for dementia in a geriatric health service facility: single‐blinded randomized controlled study

“…Enhanced motivation induced by BAR can lead to amelioration of BPSD and improvement in activities of daily living and cognitive function . Our recent randomized controlled trial (RCT) intervention based on BAR had a significant effect on daily life functions in elderly persons with dementia in residential care homes …”