THE EFFECTS OF MEMORY STIMULATION AND MINDFULNESS-BASED TRAINING PROGRAM ON MEMORY OF THE ELDERLY WITH MILD DEMENTIA

Abstract

                Objective: This study was quasi-experimental research aimed to investigate the effect of the memory stimulation and mindfulness-based training program on the memory of the elderly with mild dementia.

                Methods: The sample was twenty-two elderly with mild dementia receiving treatment at the outpatient department of Galya Rajanagarindra Institute. They were randomly divided into the experimental group and control group with eleven elderly in each group according to the inclusion criteria. The experimental group participated in the memory stimulation and mindfulness-based training program three times a week, each time for 90 minutes with a total of six sessions for two weeks. The control group received regular nursing care. The research instruments consisted of 1) the memory stimulation and mindfulness-based training program; 2) the general information questionnaire and; 3) the preliminary brain function test. Data were collected before the experiment, after the experiment, and after one month of follow-up. Then they were analyzed by using descriptive statistics, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and t-test.

                Results: 1) The mean score from the brain function test of the elderly in the experimental group after the experiment and after one month of follow-up was higher than before joining the program with a significance level of .05. But the mean score from the brain function test of the elderly after one month of follow-up was higher than after joining the program without statistical significance. 2) The mean score from the brain function test of the elderly in the experimental group after the experiment and after one month of follow-up was different from the control group with a significance level of .05.

                Conclusion: Results of the study showed that the memory stimulation and mindfulness-based training program was effective in promoting brain function and memory stimulation in the elderly with mild dementia. Therefore, this intervention program should be applied to promote memory in elderly patients with mild dementia.