Authors: D’Onofrio, Grazia | Panza, Francesco | Sancarlo, Daniele | Addante, Filomena | Solfrizzi, Vincenzo | Cantarini, Chiara | Mangiacotti, Antonio | Lauriola, Michele | Cascavilla, Leandro | Paris, Francesco | Lozupone, Madia | Daniele, Antonio | Greco, Antonio | Seripa, Davide
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VaD) lead to progressive decline in executive function. We estimated the prevalence of executive dysfunction in AD and VaD patients, investigating cognitive, functional, and clinical correlates and also using a multidimensional approach based on a standardized comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA). We included 215 patients (115 AD patients and 100 VaD patients) consecutively evaluated with a complete cognitive and affective assessment, a CGA, and the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB) with six subtests investigating conceptualization, mental flexibility, motor programming, sensitivity to interference, inhibitory control, and environmental autonomy. The prevalence of dysexecutive syndrome screened with a FAB …score <12 points was high in both AD (97 patients) and VaD (77 patients) (84.3% versus 77.0%, p = 0.171). AD patients were significantly younger, with higher grade of cognitive impairment and less severe comorbidity and polypharmacy than VaD patients. AD patients showed a significantly higher impairment in FAB total score and five FAB subtests (conceptualization, motor programming, sensitivity to interference, inhibitory control, and environmental autonomy) than VaD patients. These findings were largely confirmed in a sub-analysis conducted subdividing the sample in mild and moderate-to-severe demented patients and suggesting that in moderate-to-severe AD there was higher impairment in FAB total score and four FAB subtests (conceptualization, sensitivity to interference, inhibitory control, and environmental autonomy). Executive dysfunction could be greater in AD patients with moderate-to-severe dementia compared to VaD patients, although our groups were also not matched for age, comorbidity or polypharmacy, which could also exert an effect. Show more
Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease, comprehensive geriatric assessment, dementia, executive function, vascular dementia
DOI: 10.3233/JAD-170365
Citation: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 62, no. 2, pp. 699-711, 2018
Authors: D’Onofrio, Grazia | Sancarlo, Daniele | Raciti, Massimiliano | Burke, Megan | Teare, Aimee | Kovacic, Tanja | Cortis, Keith | Murphy, Kathy | Barrett, Eva | Whelan, Sally | Dolan, Aisling | Russo, Alessandro | Ricciardi, Francesco | Pegman, Geoff | Presutti, Valentina | Messervey, Thomas | Cavallo, Filippo | Giuliani, Francesco | Bleaden, Andy | Casey, Dympna | Greco, Antonio
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: Background: In the EU funded MARIO project, specific technological tools are adopted for the people living with dementia (PLWD). In the final stage of the project, a validation of the MARIO companion robot was performed from August to October 2017. Objective: The aims of the present study are: 1) to illustrate the key results and evidence obtained in the final evaluation phase of the project across the three different pilot sites; 2) to assess the engagement dimensions of the PLWD who interacted with the MARIO robot; and 3) to assess the acceptability and efficacy of the MARIO companion robot on …clinical, cognitive, neuropsychiatric, affective and social aspects, resilience, quality of life in PLWD, and burden level of the caregivers. Methods: 38 people (M = 14; F = 24) with Alzheimer’s disease were screened for eligibility and all were included. The following tests were administered Pre and Post interactions with MARIO: Observational Measurement of Engagement (OME), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Clock Drawing Test (CDT), Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB), Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia (CSDD), Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), 14-item Resilience Scale (RS-14), Quality of Life in Alzheimer’s Disease (QOL-AD), Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI), Tinetti Balance Assessment (TBA), and Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) was carried out. Results: In Post-MARIO interactions, significant improvements were observed in RS-14 (p = 0.020).Considering the age of the people, PLWD with 68–76 years perceived that they had major social support (MSPSS Total: p = 0.016) and friends to support them (MSPSS Fri: p = 0.014). Indeed, the younger people (55–67 years) were less depressed (CSDD: p = 0.033), and more resilient (RS-14: p = 0.003). The people aged 77–85 years perceived they had major family support (MSPSS Fam: p = 0.018). The participants were gender and education matched without any statistically significant difference. Conclusion: MARIO may be a useful tool in mitigating depression and loneliness, while enhancing social connectedness, resilience, and overall quality of life for people with dementia. Show more
Keywords: Acceptability, comprehensive geriatric assessment, dementia, loneliness, resilience, robots, quality of care, quality of life, safety
DOI: 10.3233/JAD-181165
Citation: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 68, no. 4, pp. 1587-1601, 2019