Psychotherapeutic work with people with dementia: A review of the literature

Journal/Book: Brit J Med Psychol. 1998; 71: St Andrews House, 48 Princess Rd East, Leicester LE1 7DR, Leics, England. British Psychological Soc. 211-231.

Abstract: Until recently, psychotherapy and counselling techniques have rarely been used with people with dementia. However, the change in emphasis within dementia care towards a person-centred approach has meant that there is a growing clinical interest in their use. This paper reviews the published literature in this area which bears on psychotherapy assessment, intervention and evaluation. Although there is a developing clinical literature on intervention techniques drawn from all the main psychotherapeutic approaches, there has been little research into the effectiveness of this work and such research as does exist often uses methodologies that are inappropriate for such an early stage of clinical development. It is argued that clinical research should adopt case study or single-case designs that are more appropriate than group designs for evaluating new clinical developments.

Note: Review Cheston R, Univ Bath, Psychol Agcy, Bath BA2 7AY, Avon, ENGLAND

Keyword(s): ALZHEIMERS-DISEASE; VALIDATION THERAPY; REMINISCENCE; DEPRESSION; AWARENESS

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