[Effectiveness of occupational therapy and other non-pharmacological therapies in cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease]

Abstract

A review is presented on the existing knowledge about the usefulness of the occupational therapy in the non-pharmacological treatment of Alzheimer's disease. After conducting a literature search of the period 2010-2015, 25 articles that met the inclusion criteria were selected. The evidence obtained showed the efficiency and effectiveness of OT in delaying the progression of various disorders, especially when structured home OT programs are used. These programs should include aerobic and strengthening, sensory stimulation, and cognitive and memory training exercises based on learning without mistakes. These have shown benefits in the performance of activities of daily living, cognitive and emotional functioning. The importance is stressed of the combined and individual household level intervention and caregiver education. Finally, the need for more studies on the effectiveness of long-term sensory stimulation is highlighted.

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease; Demencia; Dementia; Enfermedad de Alzheimer; Non-pharmacological therapies; Occupational therapy; Rehabilitación; Rehabilitation; Terapia no-farmacológica; Terapia ocupacional.