The Effects of Dementia Prevention Program on Cognition, Depression, Self-esteem and Quality of life in the Elderly with Mild Cognitive Disorder

치매예방 통합프로그램이 경증인지 장애노인의 인지기능, 우울, 자아 존중감 및 삶의 질에 미치는 효과

Purpose: This study was conducted to develop and evaluate a dementia prevention intervention program for the elderly with mild cognitive disorder. Methods: The study was nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. The subjects of the study were a total of 68 elderly who ranged from 21 to 24 of total scores of K-MMSE, aged over 65, in home. The program consisted of music therapy, humor therapy, art therapy, dancing therapy, recreation, and health education to enhance brain function. The program was applied to the experimental group twice a week, ninety minutes per session for eight weeks. The data were analysed by using chi-square test and t-test. Results: The variables measured in the experimental group and the control group before the intervention were not significantly different in the homogeneity test. The dementia prevention program improved the cognition(t=9.243, p<.001), self-esteem(t=.4.336, p<.001), quality of life(t=8.375, p<.001) and reduced depression(t=-3.913, p<.001). Conclusion: These findings confirmed that the dementia prevention program made a contribution to improving cognitive function, self-esteem, and quality of life and also to reduce depression in the elderly with mild cognition disorder. Therefore, it is recommended that this program could be used in clinical practice as an effective nursing intervention for the elderly with mild cognitive disorder.