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Abstract
An occupational therapy memory strategy education group (MSEG) was developed to assist clients with varying levels of memory impairment to adopt strategies to manage memory impairment in their daily lives. Participants were healthy older adults presenting with subjective memory complaints (SMC, n = 14), mild cognitive impairment (MCI, n = 33), or early stages of dementia (n = 13). Clients and their caregivers attended a one-hour session each week for six weeks. Outcome measures were taken at baseline, two weeks post completion of the group, and at a 3-month follow-up for 47 participants. Statistically significant improvements post-program were scored on the Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test (p = 0.001) and a dementia quality of life measure (p = 0.02), with increased use of external memory aids (p < 0.001) and significant improvements in participants’ self-ratings of performance (p < 0.001) and satisfaction with their performance (p < 0.001) using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure. Findings suggest positive outcomes that were maintained at 3-month follow-up and thus, support the role of occupational therapy in delivering occupation-focused memory strategy programs.
Acknowledgments
Thank you to the clients and their caregivers for their participation in this study. We are most grateful to the occupational therapists and the occupational therapy manager in the study site, all of whom have contributed to developing and refining the MSEG program.
Declaration of Interest
The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this paper.
About the Authors
Áine Coe is a Senior Occupational Therapist, working in Naas General Hospital, formerly a graduate of Trinity College Dublin. Áine completed a Masters through research with the Discipline of Occupational Therapy, TCD to explore the outcomes of a memory strategy intervention that she has developed, refined and delivered in the study site under the supervision of Dr Tadhg Stapleton, and with guidance from Dr Mary Martin, Consultant Geriatrician. Áine has worked for many years in the clinical areas of stroke rehabilitation and care of the older adult. Dr Mary Martin MB MRCPI MSc is a Consultant Geriatrician and General Physician in Naas General Hospital. She previously worked as a Clinical Research Fellow in Trinity College Institute of Neurosciences and was involved in research into and publications on pharmacodynamic markers of improvement on cholinesterase inhibitors using EEG/ERP and combined fMRI/ERP. She has run Cognitive Studies Clinic in St James’ Hospital, Dublin and is currently providing a memory clinic service through the Day Hospital and outpatient setting in Naas General Hospital. Dr. Tadhg Stapleton is Assistant Professor in Occupational Therapy at Trinity College Dublin. His previous clinical work has encompassed stroke, brain injury, and older adults, having worked as an Occupational Therapist in both clinical and community settings. His current research spans several areas of occupational therapy practice including stroke, older adults and rheumatology. He is a member of the recently established International Expert Advisory Panel on Community Health and Transport (I-CHaT) involving international occupational therapy researchers in areas of community mobility and transportation use.