THE BEHAVIORAL COMPETENCE TRAINING (VERHA LTENSTHERAPEUTISCHES-KOMPETENZTRAINING) VKT - A SPECIFIC INTERVENTION FOR PATIENTS WITH EARLY-STAGE ALZHEIMERS-DISEASE

At the Psychiatric Department, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat, Munich, a behavioral competency training (Verhaltenstherapeutisches Kompetenz traing) VKT is offered to patients with early stages of Alzheimer's di sease (AD). The primary objects of VKT are, (a) patient support in cop ing with the diagnosis of AD, (b) mobilization of the present personal activity resources, and (c) minimization of depressive symptoms. The VKT consists of six therapy-modules: 1. behavior analysis, 2. psychoed ucation, 3. stress-management, 4. increase of pleasant activities, 5. enhancement of social competency, and 6. modification of depressive co gnitive patterns. The VKT is derived from scientific findings that sho w the involvement of psycho-social factors in the genesis of AD. Inade quate coping-behavior, unescapable stress and resulting neurodegenerat ive effects, a low premorbid niveau of activity and the presence of pr emorbid depressive symptoms outline the necessity of psychotherapeutic treatment in AD patients.