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Cognitive rehabilitation in the elderly: An evaluation of psychosocial factors

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 December 2006

GORDON WINOCUR ,
HEATHER PALMER ,
DEIRDRE DAWSON ,
MALCOLM A. BINNS ,
KRISTEN BRIDGES  and
DONALD T. STUSS
GORDON WINOCUR
Affiliation:
Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada Department of Medicine (Psychiatry), University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada Department of Psychology, Trent University, Peterborough, Canada
HEATHER PALMER
Affiliation:
Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
DEIRDRE DAWSON
Affiliation:
Kunin-Lunenfeld Applied Research Unit, Baycrest, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Department of Medicine (Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy), University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada Department of Medicine (Rehabilitation Sciences), University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
MALCOLM A. BINNS
Affiliation:
Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
KRISTEN BRIDGES
Affiliation:
Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
DONALD T. STUSS
Affiliation:
Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada Department of Medicine (Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy), University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada Department of Medicine (Neurology), University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Abstract

In this study, we report changes in psychosocial function in two groups of older adults that participated in the experimental trial of our cognitive rehabilitation program. The results, based on tests that measured a range of psychosocial attributes, showed that, following training, participants improved in terms of overall well-being, as well as in specific areas that included perceived happiness, coping strategies, and quality of life. An important finding was that improvements were also observed in long-term follow-up testing. Both groups benefited from training, but the effect was greater in the group that received training before undergoing a control procedure. The results, which show that the benefits of our rehabilitation program extend into the psychosocial domain, underscore the potentially important relationship between psychosocial factors and cognitive performance in older adults. (JINS, 2007, 13, 153–165.)

Keywords

NeuropsychologyAgingFrontal lobeQuality of lifeCognitionMemory
Type
REHAB SERIES
Information
Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society , Volume 13 , Issue 1 , January 2007 , pp. 153 - 165
Copyright
© 2007 The International Neuropsychological Society

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