Glenda Dias dos Santos

Effects of cognitive training based on metamemory and mental images

There is scant research evidence regarding training effects among elderly with limited educational experience. Research indicating an association between metamemory and memory performance is based on samples of older adults with at least 12 years of education. Objectives To test the efficacy of a cognitive training program based on the creation of mental images and changes in specific aspects of metamemory in individuals with 3 to 15 years of education (M=8.38, SD=4.24). Methods 37 older adults participated in five training sessions (Training Group (TG)) and 32 control subjects completed only pre and post test assessments (Control Group (CG)) including the Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE), the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), the Brief Cognitive Screening Battery (BCSB)(naming and memorization of 10 pictures, animal category verbal fluency test, the Clock Drawing Test (CDT)), the Story subtest from the Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test (RBMT), the Memory Complaint Questionnaire (MAC-Q), and the Picture and Story domains from the Memory Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (MSEQ). Results The TG showed significant improvement between pre and post tests on the delayed recall of the 10 pictures and in self-efficacy for the memorization of stories. These same changes were not found in the CG. Conclusions Five-session cognitive training may lead to significant improvements in episodic memory and memory self-efficacy, an aspect of metamemory, in individuals with an average of 8 years of education.

Effects of a psychoeducational intervention in family caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease

Psychoeducational activities are a way of promoting help for caregivers of patients with Alzheimer’s disease, representing a forum for knowledge sharing, and in which the primary focus is on psychological themes aimed at carers developing coping skills and strategies. Objective The main objective of this study was to gauge perceptions about care and its impact among family caregivers of patients with AD participating in a psychoeducational group intervention, as well as the possible positive and negative aspects associated with this role. The subjective impact of AD on the lives of these caregivers was assessed on each of the dimensions of the Caregiver Burden Scale using a semi-directed interview on perceptions about care. Methods This was a prospective study, in which information was collected twice, before and after, psychoeducational intervention. Through the application of the scale, benefits were evident for all dimensions assessed in the instrument (general strain, isolation, disappointment, emotional involvement and environment). Results The results showed that after the psychoeducational intervention, caregivers felt less burdened by care compared to pre-intervention. Conclusion: These findings confirm that expanded implementation of psychoeducational interventions for caregivers of patients with AD can be beneficial for both caregivers and patients.

Aspectos afetivos relacionados ao comportamento alimentar dos idosos frequentadores de um centro de convivência

Instituicoes direcionadas a alimentacao de idosos tem-se tornado mais numerosas, e poucos estudos sao realizados nesses locais. Hipotetizamos que a maneira pela qual a alimentacao e realizada nesses locais pode interferir negativamente na relacao afetiva que o idoso estabelece com a alimentacao. OBJETIVOS: compreender o significado e o componente afetivo da alimentacao na vida dos idosos que frequentam um centro de convivencia direcionado a alimentacao; identificar os aspectos situacionais que envolvem o comportamento alimentar desses idosos. METODOS: foram estudadas pessoas com 60 anos ou mais de idade, frequentadoras de um Nucleo de Convivencia da zona leste de Sao Paulo-SP, a partir de uma entrevista semiestruturada, interpretada pelo Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo. As questoes norteadoras da entrevista foram: Por que o Sr(a). se alimenta aqui? Como o se sente comendo aqui? Fale-me como era a sua alimentacao antes de entrar no centro de convivencia e agora. Houve mudancas? Qual a importância da alimentacao na sua vida? O sr(a) acha que a comida e capaz de fazer amigos? RESULTADOS: a hipotese inicialmente estabelecida nao foi comprovada, observandose na verdade a presenca de uma nova situacao de vida para o idoso, que pareceu agradavel e desvinculada de fatos passados. Os entrevistados no presente estudo nao demonstram muita relacao pregressa com a alimentacao. CONCLUSOES: locais que oferecam alimentacao coletiva ao idoso mostram-se importantes para o suporte social, facilitam a socializacao e a aquisicao de alimentacao para os idosos que vivem em situacoes desfavorecidas.

Caregiver burden in older adults with bipolar disorder: relationship to functionality and neuropsychiatric symptoms

There are few studies addressing caregivers of bipolar disorder (BD) patients, especially patients who are older adults with an increased need for care, often given by a relative. The aim of this study was to describe which factors increase caregiver burden among caregivers of elderly BD outpatients.

Art therapy as an adjuvant treatment for depression in elderly women: a randomized controlled trial

Objective: There are few quantitative studies on art therapy for the treatment of depression. The objective of this study was to evaluate if art therapy is beneficial as an adjuvant treatment for depression in the elderly. Methods: A randomized, controlled, single-blind study was carried out in a sample of elderly women with major depressive disorder (MDD) stable on pharmacotherapy. The experimental group (EG) was assigned to 20 weekly art therapy sessions (90 min/session). The control group (CG) was not subjected to any adjuvant intervention. Patients were evaluated at baseline and after 20 weeks, using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and cognitive measures. Results: Logistic regression analysis adjusted for age revealed that women in EG (n=31) had significant improvement in GDS (p = 0.007), BDI (p = 0.025), and BAI (p = 0.032) scores as compared with controls (n=25). No difference was found in the cognitive measures. Conclusion: Art therapy as an adjunctive treatment for MDD in the elderly can improve depressive and anxiety symptoms. Clinical trial registration: RBR-2YXY7Z

Caring for an older adult with bipolar disorder is subject to greater burden than caring for dementia

control used more frequently lexis than patients, but also that mild patients used more frequently lexis than moderate, p<0.001. Likewise, it was noted that abstract and living nouns (animals) lexical items were less frequently used by patients, p<.001 and p1⁄40.004 respectively.Conclusions: Comparing the use of lexis between controls and mild and moderate Alzheimer’s disease patients would be interesting to create communication guides that might help caregivers in order to avoid or minimize stressful relationships when dealing with Alzheimer’s disease patients.