Introduction

As a result of the rapid aging of populations worldwide (attributed to advances in modern medicine, and an improved standard of living), the human lifespan has expanded, and the prevalence of geriatric diseases is increasing. Dementia was reported to account for 9.4% of the prevalence of geriatric diseases in 2013 [1]. Dementia is a term which describes progressive neurological disorders, and it begins with short term memory loss, and is characterized by a deterioration of overall cognitive function, and higher mental functions. As the dementia progresses, patients show an array of behavioural symptoms such as depression, hallucinations, delusions, aggressive behavior, anxiety, and wandering, along with exacerbation of emotional swings, loss of willpower, and depression [2,3].

Dementia is considered a geriatric disorder that induces temperamental changes in the brain as a result of advanced age and aging. However, the 2010 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey reported an increasing incidence of dementia among middle aged adults under 65 years, and in 2017, patients under the age of 65 accounted for 9.7% of all dementia patients who had received care [4]. Dementia that occurs in middle aged adults under the age of 65 years is referred to as early onset dementia, and as with geriatric dementia, Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 1/3 of cases of dementia, with other types of dementia including vascular dementia, and frontotemporal dementia, frequently manifesting in early onset dementia [1,5].

Early onset dementia is often mistaken as other conditions or diseases, such as depression or stress-induced diseases, and this hinders early diagnosis [6,7]. In addition, a variety of behavioural, cognitive, neurological, and psychiatric symptoms develop along with memory(particularly short-term memory) deterioration, depression, and anxiety. In the early stages, memory problems may not be conspicuous, but symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, problems with word selection, and attention disorder may manifest and be more noticeable. Furthermore, compared with geriatric dementia, early onset dementia is reported to progress more rapidly and with more serious problematic behaviour [8,9]. Patients with early onset dementia undergo challenges in their daily living, and their self-efficacy, and values are critically impaired such as losing their social roles in the family or society [10,11]. In addition, limited social services for early onset dementia may cause patients and families to feel isolated, and because early onset dementia develops at an economically and socially active age, productive activities may be limited and have a wide-ranging impact on their lives and their families compared with geriatric dementia [1,10]. Despite the need for early intervention for these patients, research into early onset dementia in Korea is inadequate compared with geriatric dementia.

Dementia is treated with pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies, and an appropriate combination of both modalities produces the best outcomes [12]. As a nonpharmacological therapy for dementia, cognitive stimulation is gaining traction, and there are several validated types of cognitive stimulation training, including reality orientation therapy (ROT), spaced retrieval therapy (SRT), and errorless learning. ROT is the most widely used cognitive stimulation for dementia patients. It was first introduced in the US for older adults in hospital with dementia, and it involved repeatedly answering questions about orienting information such as times, places, and person, such that dementia patients could remember and understand their day to day environments, and recent events [13,14]. SRT is a technique in which patients are encouraged to recall information repetitively over progressively longer intervals of time, and the technique does not require many cognitive factors but uses implicit memory instead [13]. Errorless learning was designed for optimized learning in individuals with intellectual disability and memory impairment to prevent learning by trial and error (Baddeley and Wilson [15]). It is used as memory training for dementia patients, and is a technique involving early prompting to ensure an error does not occur in the early stages of learning, by minimizing implicit interferences in the initial learning process. Furthermore, it is often used in combination with SRT as opposed to being implemented alone [16].

Grandmaison and Simard [17] reported that combining SRT and errorless learning is the most effective compared with each individual technique, and Jean et al [18] reported statistically significant positive changes in cognitive function in patients with mild cognitive impairment by administering face-name association training that integrated SRT and errorless learning. SRT is an effective individualized intervention that improves cognitive function and behavioural symptoms in dementia patients, helping them remember recent events and environments that are meaningful to them including current affairs, scheduling a daily routine, time, and place [19]. In Korea research into the integration of SRT and errorless learning is limited. Repetitive cognitive training at home is essential, but many studies have developed programs to be run under the guidance of an instructor. There are a lack of studies that have designed programs enabling training at home for repeated use [13,20].

Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the impact of a mixed intervention program involving SRT, and errorless learning based on ROT (meaningful times, people, and places to an individual) to determine cognitive function, depression, and occupational performance of patients with early onset dementia to report foundation data useful in the development of easy home-based programs in the future.

Materials and Methods

1. Participants

This study was conducted on 2 patients under the age of 65 who had been diagnosed with vascular dementia and mild or moderate impairment [using the clinical dementia rating (CDR) 5 point scale and the Mini-Mental State Examination-Korean (MMSE-K) scores] at a dementia centre in the North Chungcheong Province (August to October 2019). The study was reviewed for ethical considerations by the institutional review board at the Cheongju University, and written informed consent was obtained from the participants prior to beginning the study. The inclusion criteria were as follows:

1. 1) Diagnosis of dementia by a psychiatrist or neurologist.

2. 2) Early onset dementia (under the age of 65 years).

3. 3) CDR score ≤ 2 (CDR 0, none; 0.5, questionable; 1, mild; 2, moderate; 3, severe impairment).

4. 4) No hearing or visual impairments, and capable of communication.

5. 5) Capable of recall for more than 45 seconds.

6. 6) Patient’s and caregiver’s written informed consent given to participate in the study.

2. Study design

This study used the pre-test - post-test single-subject research design (ABA’), and a total of 26 sessions consisting of 3 sessions at baseline (A), 20 sessions of intervention (B), and 3 sessions of a second baseline period (A’) were conducted (Figure 1).

The program was modified as determined by the participant and therapist considering Korean culture, and the topic of the session was chosen from person, place, time, and area of interest every week. To structure the training program, participants’ information were obtained via caregiver interviews prior to the study, and the study was conducted over a 4-week period. The program was designed to include topics on personal orientation (my family) in Week 1, time orientation (season) for Week 2, place orientation (my neighborhood) in Week 3, and my areas of interests or social issues for Week 4 (Tables 1 and 2).

The participants were shown words about the topic and were instructed to recall the words over an interval of 45 seconds, 90 seconds, 6 minutes, and 12 minutes. The duration of recall was recorded. Furthermore, to examine the performance of activities of daily living (ADL) at baseline, intervention, and second baseline periods, the participants were given 6 picture cards for the tasks in 2 areas in the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) and were instructed to list them in order. The number of correctly listed cards were recorded and converted to a percentage.

3. Measurements

3.1. Cognitive function

Cognitive function was measured using the Consortium to Establish a Registry of Alzheimer’s Disease-Korean version (CERAD-K). The CERAD was originally developed in 1989 in the United States for the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and was adapted and modified into Korean in 1994. While it was originally developed to diagnose and assess Alzheimer’s disease, its application subsequently extended to the diagnosis of other types of dementia, including vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, Parkinson’s disease dementia, and frontotemporal dementia. The tool assesses individual cognitive function, such as memory, language, and spatio-temporal ability. The test-retest reliability ranged from 0.63 to 0.87 [21].

3.2. Depression

Depression was measured using the Korean Form Geriatric Depression Scale (K-GDS). The GDS, developed by Yesavage et al [22], is a 30-item yes-or-no instrument, and 2 psychiatrists and 2 clinical psychologists modified and adapted it into Korean using vocabulary and routine expressions appropriate for and easily understood by older adults in Korea. Each of the 30 items is scored with a 0 or 1. A score of 16–22 indicates borderline and mild depression, a score of 23–25 moderate depression, and score of ≥ 26 severe depression. The internal consistency was 0.88 and split-half reliability was 0.79 [23].

3.3. Occupational performance and satisfaction)

Changes in occupational performance and satisfaction were examined using the COPM. The COPM assesses changes in self-perception after treatment, and it promotes treatment participation by involving the participants in occupational therapy early in intervention. The assessment is performed by choosing meaningful work via an interview prior to the intervention, and level of importance and satisfaction are rated on a scale from 1–10. After the intervention, level of importance and satisfaction are rated using the same method. A change of score of 2 or higher after the intervention is regarded clinically significant [24]. The test-retest reliability was 0.84 [25].

4. Statistical analysis

The mean performance of ADL was analyzed with descriptive statistics. Changes in the performance of ADL were visually presented using a graph, and changes in the CERAD-K, the K-GDS, and the COPM scores after the intervention were presented using bar graphs.

Results

1. Participant characteristics

The participants’ general characteristics are presented in Table 3. Participant 1 was a 58-year-old male diagnosed with vascular dementia. His CDR score was 1, indicating mild dementia, and his MMSE-K score was 18, which indicated definite dementia. Participant 2 was a 51-year-old male also diagnosed with vascular dementia. His CDR score was 2, indicating moderate dementia, and his MMSE-K score was 16, which indicated definite dementia.

2. Changes of cognition after the intervention

Changes of the CERAD-K after the intervention are presented in Table 4. Participant 1 scored higher in the word list memory, word list recognition, constructional recall, trail making A, stroop test, color, and color-word tests after the intervention. Participant 2 scored higher in the word list memory, constructional praxis, word list recognition, and trail making A tests after the intervention, and he showed a marked improvement in the constructional praxis test compared with other tests.

3. Changes of depression after the intervention

The K-GDS results before and after the intervention are presented in Table 5. Participant 1 had a total score of 6 (below 16, indicates a normal level without borderline or mild depression). After the intervention, the total score dropped by 4. Participant 2 had a total score of 18 before the intervention, which indicated mild depression. After program participation, the score dropped by 4, indicating a normal level.

4. Changes of occupational performance after the intervention

The COPM results before and after the intervention are presented in Table 6. For Participant 1, washing hair and going to the toilet were chosen as the assessment items based on the caregiver interview, as the caregiver stated that the participant has difficulties completing these activities because he skips some parts of the activities. After the intervention, both performance and satisfaction increased by 1 point. For Participant 2, brushing teeth and finding the bathroom at home were selected as the assessment items based on the caregiver interview, as the caregiver stated that the participant would forget to put toothpaste on the brush or other parts of the activity while brushing his teeth, and also had problems associated with going to the toilet because he could not find the bathroom at home. After the intervention, the performance score increased by 4 points and satisfaction by 3 points, showing a clinically significant change.

5. Changes in performance of ADL

Changes in the rate of successful ADL performance during the baseline, intervention, and second baseline periods were measured. Participant 1 had a success rate of 71.7% at the baseline, 79.13% during the intervention period, and 83.3% during the second baseline, showing a consistently improving trend. Participant 2 had a success rate of 33.3% at the baseline, but it increased by 11.6% to 44.9% at the second baseline after the intervention. The success rate during the second baseline period was high compared with the mean successful ADL performance rate (Figure 2).

Discussion

Dementia that occurs in middle-aged adults under the age of 65 years is referred to as early onset dementia. While memory problems may not be as conspicuous in the early stages, symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, problems with word selection, and attention disorder may occur. Early onset dementia is reported to be associated with a shorter survival period compared with geriatric dementia and the speed of progression [5,26]. Some studies on early onset dementia report that 56% of these patients have depression, and 71% have anxiety, and because patients in this age group are physically healthy and active, progression to moderate-severe dementia leads to more serious restlessness/aggression, hypersensitivity/instability, abnormal repetitive behaviours, and problematic behaviours compared with geriatric dementia [7,8]. Despite the fact that various interventions could help patients with early onset dementia, provision is needed. Research into early onset dementia in Korea is inadequate compared with geriatric dementia, and programs designed to provide repeated training at home are lacking [10,13].

In the present study, the impact of a mixed intervention program consisting of SRT and errorless training was investigated. This was based on meaningful reality orientation information for individual patients with early onset dementia to determine their cognitive function, depression, and occupational performance. In terms of the effects of a mixed intervention program consisting of SRT and errorless learning based on reality orientation information, Participant 1 scored higher in the word list memory, word list recognition, constructional recall, trail making A, and stroop test, after the intervention, while Participant 2 scored higher in the constructional praxis, word list recognition, and trail making A tests after the intervention. Participant 1 showed a greater improvement in the scores. In particular, both participants showed a markedly improved score in the constructional praxis test after interventions. In a study examining the changes in level of cognition according to diagnosis of dementia after training consisting of SRT and errorless learning, Jang et al [27] compared the changes of cognition between vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, and observed that the former group had more significant changes in constructional recall, word list recognition, word list recall, and word list memory, which was in line with our findings. In contrast, participants in this current study showed changes in trail making A, which assesses spatiotemporal ability and execution. This may be attributable to the fact that the training program in this current study involved spatiotemporal memory training, such as remembering the locations of shops in the neighbourhood and remembering the layout at home.

In this current study, the changes in the level of depression in participants after the intervention, was examined. Participant 1 did not have depression at baseline, but he still showed an improved score after the intervention as observed with Participant 2. In terms of the changes in task performance and satisfaction, Participant 1 scored at least 2 points higher after the intervention, which is considered a clinically significant change. The participants also showed increased performance of ADL at the second baseline compared with that at the first baseline. Kauhanen et al [28] reported that stroke patients with depression had statistically significantly poorer cognitive function than stroke patients without depression. Furthermore, in a study on the association between depression, cognitive function, and lesions in patients with vascular dementia, Oh et al [29] observed that physical functioning was not correlated with depression, but it is significantly correlated with language memory, concentration, psychomotor speed, and execution. Yoon and Cho [30] also reported that there were significant changes in depression and performance of ADL after a cognitive rehabilitation program. Thus, the findings in this current study, which are similar to previous findings, suggest that changes in the level of cognition is closely associated with a reduced level of depression [31].

While this study observed that a program consisting of SRT and errorless learning based on reality orientation information had positive effects on cognitive function, occupational performance, and depression in patients with early onset dementia, this study has a few limitations. Firstly, the findings cannot be generalized due to the small sample size. Secondly, an adequate follow-up study was not performed, so the duration of the therapeutic effects could not be examined. Thirdly, only 2 patients with a mild dementia or moderate dementia were enrolled into the study, so the effects of the program could not be examined by level of cognition. Subsequent studies should recruit a larger sample size and use a controlled experimental design to examine changes in each group, with the addition of adequate follow-up to examine the retention of the positive effects of SRT and errorless learning based on reality orientation information.

However, the greatest strength of this study was that it provided data on early onset dementia in Korean patients using a mixed intervention program which positively contributed to changes in cognitive function, occupational performance, and depression. We hope that these findings would serve as a foundation for therapists who attempt to develop home-based programs in the future.

Article information

This paper was written by revising and supplementing the first author’s master’s thesis.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Figure 1

Research procedure.

*CERAD-K.

CERAD-K = The Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease Korean Version; COPM = Canadian Occupational Performance Measure; K-GDS = Korean Form Geriatric Depression Scale.

Figure 2

Change of ADL task success rate.

ADL = activities of daily living.

Table 2

Examples of intervention activities.

My spouse (orientation-person)
Name	Age (y)	Hometown	Occupation	Hobby
Jeon, OO	47	Cheongju	Housewife	Hiking
Topics related to spring (orientation-time)
Flower pancakes	Strawberry’s	Shepherd’s purse	Planting rice	Dandelions
Things in my neighbourhood (orientation-place)
Market	Elementary school	Bank	Bakery	Real estate office
Chuseok (area of interest)
August 15th	Songpyeon	Graveyard	Ganggangsulae	Full Moon

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Figure & Data

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Citations

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