DEMENTIA IN ELDERLY PATIENTS - CAN THE 3R MENTAL STIMULATION PROGRAM IMPROVE MENTAL STATUS

The aim of this study was to determine whether the 3R mental stimulati on programme can improve the mental status score (MSS) of a group of p atients with dementia attending a day care centre. Fifteen patients wi th dementia attending a day care centre were exposed to the 3R stimula tion programme over eight weeks while 15 controls were not. All patien ts from both groups were subjected to pre- and post-exposure questionn aires modified from the Mental Status Questionnaire of Kahn et al. A m ental status score (MSS) was thus calculated on both occasions. All pa tients in the exposed group showed an improved mental status score, wi th the mean 'pre-exposure' and 'post-exposure' scores of 4.4 and 7.3, respectively (p < 0.001; paired t test). In contrast, the mental statu s scores of 12 control patients had deteriorated and mean 'pre-exposur e' and 'post-exposure' scores were 4.1 and 3.4, respectively (p < 0.05 ; paired t test). Using multiple covariance analysis, the adjusted 'po st-exposure' mean mental status score was 7.1 for the exposed and 3.6 for the controlled group (p < 0.001). The 3R programme appears to be e ffective for short-term mental stimulation of demented elderly people.