Affiliations: Old Age Research Group (PROTER), Department and
Institute of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Sao
Paulo, Brazil | Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine,
University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil | Division of Psychology and Department of Neurology,
Hospital das Clinicas, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Abstract: Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of a
neuropsychological rehabilitation (NR) program on patients with Alzheimer's
disease (AD). Methods: The sample was composed of 16 elderly outpatients
who participated in an open trial with rivastigmine (6 to 12 mg/day) for 4
months and were randomized to 3 different groups: 1. group NR (N=5), 2.
individualized NR (N=6) and 3. NR at home under supervision of a relative or
caregiver (N=5). All 3 groups fulfilled the same NR protocol consisting of a
once a week session. Just before and after the 22 week period of
rehabilitation, all patients were evaluated using psychiatric and functional
scales, and neuropsychological tests by interviewers that did not participate
in the cognitive training. Results: The intervention did not produce any
statistically significant change, but small gains were observed on some
cognition tests, activities of daily living (ADL), and psychiatric symptoms in
groups 1 and 2. Conclusion: Group NR is recommended for reducing
psychiatric symptoms, and individualized NR for improving ADL. NR at home
either has no associated benefits, or the training sessions were not
appropriately conducted by the caregiver. However, additional research with
larger samples is necessary to confirm these observations.
Keywords: Alzheimer's disease, neuropsychological rehabilitation, memory, activities of daily living
