Title | Cognitive Change in Rehabilitation Patients with Dementia: Prevalence and Association with Rehabilitation Success. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2017 |
Authors | Dutzi, I, Schwenk, M, Kirchner, M, Bauer, JM, Hauer, K |
Journal | J Alzheimers Dis |
Volume | 60 |
Issue | 3 |
Pagination | 1171-1182 |
Date Published | 2017 |
ISSN | 1875-8908 |
Abstract | BACKGROUND: Dementia is a frequent diagnosis in geriatric rehabilitation. Studies in patients with dementia on the development of their cognitive status during rehabilitation and its relation to functional outcomes have been scarce. OBJECTIVES: To describe the changes in cognitive status in patients with dementia during inpatient rehabilitation and to determine its association with patient characteristics and rehabilitation outcome. METHODS: Cohort study in a geriatric rehabilitation center with data collection at admission and discharge. Outcome measures were change in global and domain-related cognitive functioning and its association with activities of daily living (ADL) and discharge home. RESULTS: 154 patients (mean age 83.7 years) diagnosed with mild to moderate dementia were included. Cognitive performance significantly improved from admission to discharge for all cognitive variables tested (p CONCLUSIONS: The findings highlight the potential of patients with dementia to recover cognitive functioning during rehabilitation. Cognitive change represents an independent rehabilitation outcome and a prognostic factor for successful rehabilitation suggesting that specific interventions are indicated to maintain and enhance cognitive functioning in these highly vulnerable patients. |
DOI | 10.3233/JAD-170401 |
Alternate Journal | J. Alzheimers Dis. |
PubMed ID | 28984597 |