BACKGROUND/AIMS: The efficacy of nonpharmacological and multicomponent treatments in patients with dementia is under discussion, as is the ongoing debate which endpoints best measure efficacy. METHODS: 194 dyads of dementia patients and their proxies interested in a combined short-term inpatient rehabilitative treatment were assessed in the patients' homes. RESULTS: Analysis showed that cognition in male patients (cognitive part of the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale: p = 0.048) and depressive mood in female patients were improved after treatment at the 3-month follow-up (Geriatric Depression Scale: p = 0.030). Moreover, the burden on male caregivers was reduced (behavioral pathology in Alzheimer's Disease Rating Scale: p = 0.002) at 3 months. CONCLUSION: Combined short-term rehabilitative treatment of patients and psychosocial intervention for caregivers is modestly effective in patients with dementia and their caregivers, but may be subject to gender-specific effects.
BACKGROUND/AIMS: The efficacy of nonpharmacological and multicomponent treatments in patients with dementia is under discussion, as is the ongoing debate which endpoints best measure efficacy. METHODS: 194 dyads of dementiapatients and their proxies interested in a combined short-term inpatient rehabilitative treatment were assessed in the patients' homes. RESULTS: Analysis showed that cognition in male patients (cognitive part of the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale: p = 0.048) and depressive mood in female patients were improved after treatment at the 3-month follow-up (Geriatric Depression Scale: p = 0.030). Moreover, the burden on male caregivers was reduced (behavioral pathology in Alzheimer's Disease Rating Scale: p = 0.002) at 3 months. CONCLUSION: Combined short-term rehabilitative treatment of patients and psychosocial intervention for caregivers is modestly effective in patients with dementia and their caregivers, but may be subject to gender-specific effects.