Reality orientation for dementia: a systematic review of the evidence of effectiveness from randomized controlled trials.

The effectiveness of classroom reality orientation (RO) in dementia was evaluated by conducting a systematic literature review. This yielded 43 studies, of which 6 were randomized controlled trials meeting the inclusion criteria (containing 125 subjects.) Results were subjected to meta-analysis. Effects on cognition and behavior were significant in favor of treatment (cognition standardized mean difference [SMD] = -0.59; 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.95(-)-0.22; behavior SMD = -0.64, 95% CI = -1.20(-)-0.08). The evidence indicates that RO has benefits on both cognition and behavior for dementia sufferers. However, a continued program may be needed to sustain potential benefits. Future research should evaluate RO in well-designed multicenter trials.