Estudio sobre efectos del programa SADL (Stimulation Activities of Daily Living) de terapia ocupacional sobre el nivel de autonomía en las actividades de la vida diaria de personas con demencia institucionalizados

Abstract

Dementia affect cognitive skills, alters behavior and cause progressive deterioration of the functionality. Cognitive impairment is usually expressed in a decrease of the skills required for proper performance of activities of daily living. We conducted a clinical trial with 58 elderly diagnosed with mild-moderate dementia admitted to Residential Care centers in Extremadura and approved by the Bioethics Committee of the University of Extremadura. For 5 weeks has been assessed the effectiveness of the program SADL (STIMULATION ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING) compared to the conventional treatment of occupational therapy in the autonomy and independence in the basic activities of daily living. The results were favorable in the level of independence in basic activities of daily living in the experimental group versus the control (p = 0.006).The improvements were in the feed (p = 0.01), dress(p = 0.005), WC (p = 0.018), incontinence (p = 0.003), walk(p = 0.024), climbing stairs (p = 0.002 ) and go to the toilet (p = 0.010). After the intervention, the control group had worse language and construction (p = 0.001), comprehension, verbal commands and Praxis (p = 0.006) relative to the experimental group improved. While differences in the latter function remained at follow up (p = 0.002) in the previous two dissipated (p = 0.368, p = 0.631). No significant differences in overall cognitive function in patients from both groups (p = 0.340). We conclude that SADL program is effective in improving and maintaining the autonomy and independence of the basic activities of daily living in patients with mild dementia institutionalized.