Research Appraisal: Dementia and Cognitive Stimulation Therapy

This report presents a critical research appraisal focusing on Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) as an intervention for individuals with dementia. The report begins by outlining the health problem and population of inquiry, specifically addressing behavioral and psychological complications associated with dementia in individuals aged 35-70. A PICO strategy is employed to frame the research question, followed by two database searches (Health Source: Nursing Academic Edition and MEDLINE) to gather relevant literature. The findings from these searches are summarized, highlighting the benefits of CST and the various types of dementia. The report then evaluates the primary research methods used, particularly questionnaires, and concludes with recommendations for the effective implementation of CST to improve cognitive function, memory, and quality of life for people with dementia (PwD). References are provided at the end of the report.

Critical Research Appraisal: Assessment 3: Literature search template
Section 1: Topic/ problem and population/area of enquiry (Approx. 120 words)
(10 marks)
The particular health problem that has been taken into consideration is Dementia.
The topic, which is specifically considered is “Dementia leads to behavioral and psychological
complications.”. It has been found that, dementia a mental health problems mostly common among
people over age of 65 (Lobbia and et. al., 2018). However, it is observed that early onset of this
particular mental health problem is seen among individuals from the starting age of 30.
Section 2: PICO strategy plus 2 database searches (Approx. 460 words in total)
PICO Strategy (be brief no more than 40 words) (15 marks)
(do not write in this row)
Problem and Population
The particular age group which is specifically considered is 35 to 70 (female and male) dealing with
dementia (even those patients as well who are at stage 1 of dementia).
Intervention
Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) is considered as an intervention, which is beneficial for 1st stage of
dementia and for the 2nd stage dementia as well. With the help of this intervention, patients of dementia
from the age group of 30 to 70 relief can be given based on their necessities and requirements.
Comparison (if relevant)
Utilization of ADAS-Cog in order to assess dementia in much effective and efficient manner while
considering Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST).
Outcome
Treating people dealing with dementia, Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) would help them in
improving the levels of mental activities, which may impact positively on their mindset in much
effective and in efficient manner as well. On the other hand, this reduces the risk of developing
dementia later on in life.
Your final search question
How Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) can improve efficiency level and daily activities of
individuals (35 to 70 (female and male)) dealing with dementia?
Key words to be used in searches
 Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST)
 Dementia
 ADAS-Cog
Section 2 cont… Database search 1: (Approx. 210 words)
(25 marks)
HEALTH SOURCE: NURSING ACADEMIC EDITION: Cognitive Stimulation Therapy
(CST): Basically, CST would aid in improving perception and personal satisfaction, and the outcomes
demonstrated that the advantages of CST were free of whether individuals were taking

acetylcholinesteraseinhibitor (AChEI) prescription. Expanding age was related with psychological
advantages, as was female sexual orientation. Care home inhabitants improved more than network
occupants on personal satisfaction, yet the network test appeared to profit more according to conduct
issues (Wong, G. H. and et. al., 2018).
Section 2 cont… Database search 2: (Approx. 210 words)
(25 marks)
MEDLINE: Dementia is anything but a solitary infection; it's a general term, like coronary illness that
covers a wide scope of explicit ailments, including Alzheimer's sickness. Issues gathered under the overall
term "dementia" are brought about by irregular mind changes. These progressions trigger a decrease in
reasoning aptitudes, otherwise called intellectual capacities, sufficiently extreme to hinder day by day life
and free capacity. They additionally influence conduct, emotions and connections. Alzheimer's sickness
represents 60-80% of cases (Spector and et. al., 2019). Vascular dementia, which happens on account of
minuscule draining and vein blockage in the cerebrum, is the second most basic reason for dementia. The
individuals who experience the cerebrum changes of various sorts of dementia at the same time have
blended dementia (Streater and et. al., 2016). There are numerous different conditions that can cause
indications of dementia, including some that are reversible, for example, thyroid issues and nutrient lacks.
Section 3: Evaluation of the primary research methods used (Approx. 120 words)
(15marks)
The particular primary investigating tool that has been taken into consideration is questionnaire,
which is both easy to pull out favorable outcomes and also it can be said that this particular approach
is also beneficial that aid in collecting data in relation with Dementia and also Cognitive Stimulation
Therapy approach would aid in enhancing the knowledge in relation with how effectively all the
approaches can be utilized to reduce the impact on dementia (Alvares-Pereira, Silva-Nunes and Spector,
2020).
Section 4: Conclusion and recommendations (Approx. 100 words) (10
marks)
With the help of above mentioned report, it is summarized that considering this particular
approach i.e. Cognitive Stimulation Therapy would aid in hitting different range of targets like
reducing impact of dementia from the people who have stage 1 of dementia disease. Also, it has been
observed that there is improvement can be seen among different sections like problem solving,
memory, verbal fluency for PwD, whilst carers experienced enhanced communication and interaction
with the person they care for. This has raised ample number of benefits for individuals like they have
started maintaining the quality of life and psychological well-being as well.
Section 5: References
Lobbia, A. and et. al., 2018. The efficacy of cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) for people with
mild-to-moderate dementia. European Psychologist.
Wong, G. H. and et. al., 2018. Cultural adaptation of cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) for
Chinese people with dementia: multicentre pilot study. International journal of geriatric
psychiatry, 33(6), pp.841-848.
Streater, A. and et. al., 2016. Cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) for people with dementia in
practice: An observational study. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 79(12), pp.762-767.
Alvares-Pereira, G., Silva-Nunes, M. V. and Spector, A., 2020. Validation of the cognitive
stimulation therapy (CST) program for people with dementia in Portugal. Aging & Mental Health,
pp.1-10.
Spector, A. and et. al., 2019. Mixed methods implementation research of cognitive stimulation
therapy (CST) for dementia in low and middle-income countries: study protocol for Brazil, India and
Tanzania (CST-International). BMJ open, 9(8), p.e030933.