Comparison of Cognitive Stimulation Therapy and Montessori-Based Dementia on cognitive function in people with Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, it is a chronic and progressive degenerative disorder and affects cognitive functions. The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the effectiveness of cognitive stimulation therapy and Montessori-based dementia programming on cognitive function on people with Alzheimer's disease.
The research method was a semi-experimental pre-test and post-test with control group. 34 Alzheimer's patients were selected as available sampling. They were randomly assigned into three groups: the first experimental group (interventional technique: cognitive stimulation therapy), the second experimental group (interventional technique: Montessori-based dementia programming) and control group. The measurement tools consisted of MMSE cognitive test questionnaire, the mini-cog test, CDR memory test, and quality of life questionnaire.
Multivariate covariance analysis showed that there was a significant difference between the cognitive stimulation therapy group and Montessori based dementia programming group in MMSE test, CDR test and the mini-cog test scores. Calculating the effect size among subjects showed that the CST is more effective.
Although cognitive stimulation therapy is more effective than Montessori based Dementia programming, but both protocols can be used as effective non-pharmacological interventions to improve the cognitive functions in Alzheimer's patients.