Evaluating the Efficacy of Therapeutic Programs on Improving Cognitive Function and Depression among Older Adults Living with Dementia in Korea

Jaeeon Yoo and Sunhee Lee
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Jaeeon Yoo: Department of Social Welfare, Gachon University, Seongnam-si 30120, Korea
Sunhee Lee: Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs, Sejong-si 30147, Korea

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 9, 1-13

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect size of programs for enhancing cognition and alleviating depression in older adults with dementia. This study selected 45 cognition and 37 depression programs, which conducted pre- and post-tests and had a treatment group and a control group comprising older adults living in Korea. This study conducted a meta-regression analysis to examine the moderating effect of the program location, number of sessions, intervals, group activities, and curriculum on cognition and depression. Most programs improved cognitive function and lowered depression symptoms. The heterogeneity of the effect size was large. The effect size of the number of sessions on a cognitive function significantly increased with an increasing number of sessions. The effect size of the group activity program on cognitive function was higher. The effect of healthcare institutions on depression was lower compared to other locations. To make more effective interventions for cognition and depression, long-term and group activity programs following a comprehensive curriculum will be required. The programs of healthcare institutions are encouraged to accept the advantages of other institutions and apply them to improve the effects of the programs on depression. Future studies shall focus on establishing concrete measures to enable healthcare institutions to connect older adults with dementia with various other institutions that offer long-term group programs.

Keywords: cognition; dementia; depression; geriatric mental disorders; meta-regression analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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