Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST): Exploring Perspectives of Trained Practitioners on the Barriers and Facilitators to the Implementation of CST for People Living with Dementia

Michelle E. Kelly (), Saoirse Byrne, Roisin Lacey, Antoine Lemercier and Caoimhe Hannigan
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Michelle E. Kelly: ProBrain Lab, National College of Ireland, Mayor Street Lower, IFSC, D01 K6W2 Dublin, Ireland
Saoirse Byrne: ProBrain Lab, National College of Ireland, Mayor Street Lower, IFSC, D01 K6W2 Dublin, Ireland
Roisin Lacey: ProBrain Lab, National College of Ireland, Mayor Street Lower, IFSC, D01 K6W2 Dublin, Ireland
Antoine Lemercier: ProBrain Lab, National College of Ireland, Mayor Street Lower, IFSC, D01 K6W2 Dublin, Ireland
Caoimhe Hannigan: ProBrain Lab, National College of Ireland, Mayor Street Lower, IFSC, D01 K6W2 Dublin, Ireland

Disabilities, 2025, vol. 5, issue 1, 1-18

Abstract: Dementia is recognised as a disability under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). People with disabilities like dementia have the right to access specialised health and social care services, including interventions that support independence and community participation. Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) is an evidence-based psychosocial intervention that improves cognition, communication, confidence, and quality of life for people living with dementia, but an implementation gap means that CST is often not available. This study examines whether trained CST practitioners implemented CST, their perceptions of the acceptability and efficacy of CST, whether the perceived acceptability and efficacy of CST predicted implementation, and practitioners’ opinions on the barriers and facilitators to CST implementation. A mixed-methods approach was used, with 62 participants (91.9% female). Although 95% of participants were trained to deliver CST, 45.2% did not facilitate CST groups. Statistical analysis showed that perceived efficacy significantly predicted both the likelihood of running CST groups ( p = 0.006) and the number of groups delivered ( p = 0.01). Thematic analysis of qualitative data identified the three key themes of ‘resources’, ‘awareness and education’, and ‘acceptability of CST’. Overall, the results show that while CST is acceptable and deemed highly effective, resources and staffing often impede implementation. The results are discussed in the context of prioritising the rights of people with disabilities and recommendations are made on improving access to evidence-based support.

Keywords: evidence based; interventions; dementia; disability rights; barriers (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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