Abstract Details

Title Improvement of Quality of Life in Individuals with Cognitive Impairment After Spiritual Support Group

Topic Aging, Dementia, and Behavioral Neurology

Presentation(s) P17 - Poster Session 17 (11:45 AM-12:45 PM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 3-003

Objective We sought to demonstrate the efficacy of a spiritual support group in improving quality of life among individuals with cognitive impairment.

Background Prior research has demonstrated the value of religion and spirituality in improving quality of life and slowing the progression of disease among individuals with dementia. Our clinic (Pacific Neuroscience Institute) has partnered with a Senior Day Program (OPICA) to incorporate their Spirit Builders program into our patient population. The 16 week program serves individuals with mild cognitive impairment and mild to moderate dementia and aims to affirm the creativity and resilience of the human spirit through community building, story-telling, and art. Sessions are facilitated by a chaplain and/or an art therapist.

Design/Methods Quality of life was measured quantitatively using the McGill Quality of Life Questionnaire (MQOL), a validated instrument for tracking quality of life in disease states. The scale has a scored range from 0–140, with higher scores indicating a higher quality of life. During the implementation phase of this program (n = 4), data were collected at baseline, at mid-point in the program (8 weeks), and at the conclusion of the program (16 weeks). The program and data collection were repeated with a larger group (n=14).

Results We observed a statistically significant increase in quality of life (i.e., higher MQOL scores) at 16 weeks as compared to eight weeks in our first group, with an average increase in MQOL of 7.25 based on 95% CI [6.44, 8.05]. Results from the same interval of our subsequent, larger group demonstrated an average increase in MQOL of 9.21, based on 90% CI [.934, 17.50].

Conclusions

These results suggest that a spiritual support program helps improve quality of life in cognitive impairment. Based on these results, we are launching additional groups and will aim to determine if these results can be replicated with larger populations.

Authors/Disclosures
William G. Buxton, MD (Pacific Neuroscience Institute Brain Health Center) PRESENTER	Dr. Buxton has nothing to disclose.
	No disclosure on file
	No disclosure on file
Verna R. Porter, MD, FAAN (Pacific Neuroscience Institute/Providence St. Johns Santa Monica)	Dr. Porter has nothing to disclose.
	No disclosure on file
	No disclosure on file
	No disclosure on file
	No disclosure on file
	No disclosure on file

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