The impact of non-drug treatments on the quality of life of patients with non-dementia vascular cognitive impairment

Abstract

Introduction. Cognitive impairment significantly reduces the quality of life. This occurs already in the early stages of the disease. At present, the effect of non-drug treatment on mild cognitive impairment and the quality of life of patients has not been sufficiently studied.Aim. To evaluate the effect of a combination of non-drug treatments on the quality of life of patients with non-demented vascular cognitive impairment.Materials and methods. 60 patients with moderate cognitive impairment of vascular etiology were included in an open randomized trial. Patients of the first group (n = 30, mean age 63.7 ± 8.8) received a combination of non-drug methods (cognitive training, physical activity, meal planning) for one month. Patients of the second group (n = 30, mean age 64.2 ± 10.7) were informed about the advisability of a healthy diet and maintenance of mental and physical activity. Neuropsychological testing was carried out at the stage of inclusion, immediately after the course of treatment, after 6 months and one year after the start of the study.Results. Patients of the first group showed a statistically significant improvement in the quality of life (p < 0.05) one month after the start of the study. After 6 months and after a year, there were no significant differences with the first visit. When comparing the indicators of the second group with the initial visit, a decrease in the quality of life was noted throughout the follow- up (p < 0.05). The differences were statistically significant when comparing the two groups with each other at the time of the second visit, but at the third and fourth visits they lost statistical significance.Conclusion. The results obtained indicate that the use of a complex of non-drug methods of treatment for moderate vascular cognitive impairment improves the quality of life of patients.