Behavioural interventions for enhancing life participation in behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia and primary progressive aphasia

Abstract

Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) and behavioural-variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) are clinical syndromes under the umbrella term ‘frontotemporal dementia’ (FTD) and are caused by a neurodegenerative disease with an onset most typically in the productive years of adulthood. The cognitive and behavioural impairments associated with FTD interfere with successful engagement in typical life roles, such as parenting, working, and maintenance of interpersonal relationships. There are currently no treatments to stop or slow the degenerative process and there are only very limited medication options for the management of the cognitive-behavioural symptoms. However, alternative, non-pharmacological interventions may offer significant benefit to the quality of life of the diagnosed individual. The goal of this paper is to provide an overview of the approaches available through neurorehabilitation and community-based services that facilitate successful engagement in life activities and promote optimal quality of life for the individuals and families living with FTD. It is hoped that as medical providers become more familiar with behavioural interventions, referrals for services will increase thereby allowing individuals with FTD and their caregivers to learn ways to adapt, adjust, and participate in life to the fullest despite the impairments from this progressive disease.

Declaration of interest: Kathleen Kortte's work is supported in part by the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) (RO1NS047691-05A2) from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Emily Rogalski's work is supported in part by the NIH (DC008552) from the National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders, 1R01NS075075-01A1 from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, AG13854 (Alzheimer Disease Center) from the National Institute on Aging, and 5KL2RR025740 from the National Center for Research Resources, and is now at the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, grant number 8KL2TR000107. The content and writing of this paper is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH.