Cognitive Stimulation Therapy
What is Cognitive Stimulation Therapy?[edit | edit source]
Cognitive stimulation therapy or CST is a non-pharmacological,[1] evidence based approach to treat the complex behavioral and psychological symptoms (BPSD)[2] seen in patients with dementia.[3] BPSD can range from mood changes, disruptive behaviors, hallucinations, aggression, agitation, sleep disturbance, motor changes, apathy, depression and memory loss.[3]
These behavioural and psychological symptoms are associated with adverse patient outcomes resulting in feelings of isolation and helplessness, increased risk of falls, injuries, and decreased quality of life.[4] Apart from patient outcomes, BPSD is also associated with caregiver burnout and increased hospitalization rates, and admission to skilled facilities.[5]
CST was developed in the UK by Dr. Spector and her team. The National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence recognizes CST as the only psychosocial intervention for the management of mild to moderate dementia.
- ↑ YY Szeto J, JG Lewis S. Current treatment options for Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease dementia. Current neuropharmacology. 2016 May 1;14(4):326-38.
- ↑ Abraha I, Rimland JM, Trotta FM, Dell'Aquila G, Cruz-Jentoft A, Petrovic M, Gudmundsson A, Soiza R, O'Mahony D, Guaita A, Cherubini A. Systematic review of systematic reviews of non-pharmacological interventions to treat behavioural disturbances in older patients with dementia. The SENATOR-OnTop series. BMJ open. 2017 Mar 1;7(3):e012759.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Ohno Y, Kunisawa N, Shimizu S. Antipsychotic treatment of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD): management of extrapyramidal side effects. Frontiers in pharmacology. 2019 Sep 17;10:1045.
- ↑ Franchi B. Pharmacological management of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia. Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Research. 2016 Sep;46(3):277-85.
- ↑ Feast, A., Moniz-Cook, E., Stoner, C., Charlesworth, G. and Orrell, M., 2016. A systematic review of the relationship between behavioral and psychological symptoms (BPSD) and caregiver well-being. International psychogeriatrics, 28(11), pp.1761-1774.
