The efficacy of nonpharmacological treatment for XXXX -related apathy.

@entity303 @entity1 @entity308 @entity137
OBJECTIVE: To determine the usefulness of a formal, structured, nonpharmacological treatment for apathetic @entity303 @entity1 . @entity1 AND METHODS: A controlled, cross-over, randomized, simple-blind, multicentre clinical trial. A total of 146 institutionalized or day care @entity303 @entity1 with a stage 1 or 2 Clinical @entity303 Rating, with no significant motor or sensory problems, or with rapidly evolving @entity303 and in a clinically stable state were recruited. A cognitive mini examination, and functional, @entity308 , and potential @entity137 scales, Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI-Q), and @entity303 Apathy Interview and Rating (DAIR) scales were applied at baseline. @entity1 were randomized to initial intervention (music and art therapy and psychomotor activity) or initial control (free activities in the day room) and changed over at 4 weeks. NPI-Q and DAIR scales were administered at the end of weeks 4 and 8. RESULTS: A significant difference between intervention and control periods, as measured using the DAIR scale, was observed, with a difference of 0.21 (95% confidence interval: 0.07-0.34, P<0.005). The difference was very important in the @entity1 with moderated apathy. However, differences were not so important in the @entity1 with severe apathy and there were no differences at all in the non-apathetic @entity1 . No significant differences were found with the NPI-Q scale, although there was a clear improvement trend in the "apathy" question on this scale. This effect seems to extend beyond the therapeutic intervention period. CONCLUSIONS: A structured, nonpharmacological, short-term occupational therapy intervention is more useful than activities of the @entity1 ' own choice for improving apathy in @entity1 with mild or moderate @entity303 .
