A pilot study of community-based occupational therapy for persons with dementia (COTID-IT Program) and their caregivers: evidence for applicability in Italy

Objective: To assess the applicability in Italy of a community-based occupational therapy program (COTID) on occupational performance of persons with dementia and their caregivers. Methods: Prospective cohort study: twenty-seven older persons with mild-to-moderate dementia living in the community and their primary caregivers were included. Ten sessions of occupational therapy over 5 weeks were delivered. Main outcome measures were the level of performance and satisfaction perceived by people with dementia during the participation in significant activities assessed with the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM); caregiver burden assessed with the sense of competence questionnaire (SCQ). Results: The average age of the population was 80.59 ± 8.46 in persons with dementia and 57.78 ± 13.47 in the caregivers. There was a significant improvement in the caregivers’ burden in the SCQ (pre treatment 77.19 ± 13.27 vs 82.56 ± 12.57 post treatment; p =.005). Persons with dementia showed a significant improvement in the COPM performance (4.56 ± 1.44 vs 6.68 ± 1.59; p =.000) as well as in the satisfaction (5.08 ± 1.84 vs 7.04 ± 1.71; p =.000). No significant variations were registered in the overall cognitive functions, behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, daily functioning, depressive symptoms, perceived quality of life and global health of people with dementia. There was also no difference in the quality of life, global health, depression or burden in the caregivers. Conclusions: The study shows that the COTID program is applicable in the Italian context. The findings suggest a positive effect on patients and caregivers providing a preliminary support for the program implementation at a national level.