Community based occupational therapy for elderly patients with dementia improves daily function and reduces the burden on carers say Graff and colleagues.
One hundred and thirty five people over 65 with mild to moderate dementia were randomised to receive 10 sessions of occupational therapy, including cognitive and behavioural interventions, over five weeks or no additional treatment.
The positive effect of treatment remained significant seven weeks after the intervention ended despite patients’ limited learning abilities. The number needed to treat for a clinical improvement was 1.3.
Report published in British Medical Journal.