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Effects of language stimulation on cognition of institutionalized aged people: a preliminary case series study

EFEITOS DA ESTIMULAÇÃO DA LINGUAGEM NA COGNIÇÃO DE IDOSOS INSTITUCIONALIZADOS: ESTUDO DE SÉRIE DE CASOS PRELIMINAR

ABSTRACT.

Cognitive stimulation programs for institutionalized elderly people show positive results, however few studies have investigated the effectiveness of language stimulation programs for the health of this population.

Objectives:

To characterize the cognitive-linguistic profile of institutionalized elderly and to compare their performance before and after a language stimulation program (LSP).

Methods:

An exploratory case series study was conducted with nine residents of a Home for the Aged. Elderly people aged 60 or over, of both sexes, without neurological or neuropsychiatric diseases, communication disorders, intellectual impairment or severe visual or hearing impairment were included. The participants were submitted to an initial assessment through the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Montreal Toulouse Battery Language Assessment – Brazil to characterize the cognitive-linguistic profile of the studied group. Five elderly were selected to participate in the LSP, of wich only two participated effectively in the program, but all were reassessed after the program was completed.

Results:

on the initial assessment, of the nine participants, only one had adequate cognitive performance and all presented changes in macro and/or microlinguistics aspects of oral discourse, with oral comprehension preserved. On the reassessment carried out with five participants, only two participants who adhered effectively to the program obtained improvements in MoCa scores. In regarding language, three participants performed better in the oral emission measures. The performance of the participants in oral comprehension remained or declined.

Conclusion:

The speech-language therapy intervention through a LSP contributes to improving the cognitive-linguistic performance of institutionalized elderly.

Keywords:
language; cognition; homes for the aged; language therapy; treatment outcome

RESUMO.

Programas de estimulação cognitiva voltados para idosos institucionalizados mostram resultados positivos, contudo poucos estudos investigaram a eficácia de programas de estimulação da linguagem para a saúde dessa população.

Objetivos:

Caracterizar o perfil cognitivo-linguístico de idosos institucionalizados e comparar o desempenho antes e após um programa de estimulação de linguagem (PEL).

Métodos:

Foi realizado um estudo exploratório do tipo série de casos, com nove residentes de instituição de longa permanência para idosos (ILPI). Incluíram-se idosos com 60 anos ou mais, de ambos os sexos, sem doenças neurológicas ou neuropsiquiátricas, distúrbios da comunicação, deficiência intelectual, ou deficiência visual ou auditiva grave. Os participantes foram submetidos a uma avaliação inicial, com a Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCa) e a Bateria Montreal Toulouse de Avaliação da Linguagem – Brasil, para caracterizar o perfil linguístico-cognitivo do grupo estudado. Foram selecionados cinco idosos para participar do PEL, dentre os quais apenas dois participaram efetivamente do programa, porém todos foram reavaliados imediatamente após a finalização do programa.

Resultados:

Na avaliação inicial, dos nove participantes, apenas um participante apresentou desempenho cognitivo adequado, e todos apresentam alteração de aspectos macro e/ou microlinguísticos do discurso oral, com compreensão preservada. Na reavaliação realizada com cinco participantes, apenas os dois que aderiram efetivamente ao programa obtiveram melhoras no escores do MoCa. Em relação à linguagem, três participantes apresentaram melhor desempenho em emissão oral. O desempenho dos participantes em compreensão oral manteve-se ou declinou.

Conclusão:

A intervenção fonoaudiológica por meio de um PEL contribui para a melhora do desempenho cognitivo de idosos institucionalizados.

Palavras-chave:
linguagem; cognição; instituição de longa permanência para idosos; terapia da linguagem; resultado do tratamento

INTRODUCTION

In the year 2050, the aged population in Brazil will be some 3.7 times greater than in 2000, standing at around 49 million.11. Brito F. Transição demográfica e desigualdades sociais no Brasil. Rev Bras Est Pop. 2008;25(1):5-26. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-30982008000100002.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-30982008...
This rise is due, among other factors, to the increased survival of the older population, as a result of improvements in health care for this group.22. Mendes JL, Silva SC, Silva GR, Santos AR. O aumento da população idosa no Brasil e o envelhecimento nas últimas décadas: uma revisão da literatura. Rev Educ Meio Amb Saú. 2018;8(1):13-26. Thus, the need for greater vigilance among this age group is clear, given the many challenges in providing this rapidly growing population with the chance of a healthy active old age.33. Massi G, Torquato R, Guarinello AC, Berberian AP, Santana AP, Lourenço RC. Práticas de letramento no processo de envelhecimento. Rev Bras Geriatr Gerontol. 2010;13(1):59-71. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1809-98232010000100007
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1809-98232010...
One of these challenges is the burden families face in caring for older people in their own homes,44. Sá IP, Almeida Júnior LR, Corvino MP, Sá SP. Condições de saúde bucal de idosos da instituição de longa permanência Lar Samaritano no município de São Gonçalo-RJ. Cienc Saud Colet. 2012;17(5):1259-65. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1413-81232012000500019.
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1413-8123201200...
leading to an increased demand for homes for the aged.

Institutionalization can lead to limitations in the social functioning of elderly residents who, in most cases, cease to perform their usual daily tasks due to the dynamics of the facility, causing loss of autonomy and independence.55. Soares E, Coelho MO, Carvalho SMR. Capacidade funcional, declínio cognitivo e depressão em idosos institucionalizados: possibilidade de relações e correlações. Rev Kairos. 2012;(3)15:117-39. https://doi.org/10.23925/2176-901X.2012v15i3p117-139
https://doi.org/10.23925/2176-901X.2012v...
Preserving cognition in institutionalized aged individuals is paramount to ensure that residents can carry out their activities and maintain the ability to perform self-care.66. Apóstolo JLA, Cardoso DFB, Marta LNG, Amaral TIO. Efeito da estimulação cognitiva em Idosos. Rev Enf Ref. 2011;5:193-201. http://dx.doi.org/10.12707/RIII11104.
http://dx.doi.org/10.12707/RIII11104...
Another factor which should be taken into account is communication, since this function can be impaired due to cognitive decline,77. Mc Cullough KC, Bayles JA, Bouldin ED. Language performance of individuals at risk for mild cognitive impairment. J Speech Lang Hear Res. 2019;62:706-22. https://doi.org/10.1044/2018_JSLHR-L-18-0232
https://doi.org/10.1044/2018_JSLHR-L-18-...
with repercussions on social participation and individual behavior.88. Potkins D, Myint P, Bannister C, Tadros G, Chitharamohan R, Swann A, et al. Language impairment in dementia: impact on symptoms and care needs in residential homes. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2003;18:1002-6. https://doi.org/10.1002/gps.1002
https://doi.org/10.1002/gps.1002...
Therefore, communication must not be overlooked during assessment and follow-up of institutionalized elderly.

Acquired language disorders, such as aphasias and linguistic-cognitive disorders, are common in this population, resulting from strokes and dementia. Language skills in these cases may be more compromised when aged people are institutionalized.99. Mello JG, Garcia MV, Fedosse E. Multiple aspects of language in dementia: a comparision between domestic and institutional context. Rev CEFAC. 2015;17(2):615-27. https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-0216201510814
https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-02162015108...
Therefore, the early stimulation of these skills is indicated for the maintenance of social interactions and the quality of life of these elderly.88. Potkins D, Myint P, Bannister C, Tadros G, Chitharamohan R, Swann A, et al. Language impairment in dementia: impact on symptoms and care needs in residential homes. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2003;18:1002-6. https://doi.org/10.1002/gps.1002
https://doi.org/10.1002/gps.1002...

The benefits promoted by cognitive stimulation programs for elderly residents of homes for the aged has already been described in a national study.99. Mello JG, Garcia MV, Fedosse E. Multiple aspects of language in dementia: a comparision between domestic and institutional context. Rev CEFAC. 2015;17(2):615-27. https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-0216201510814
https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-02162015108...
In this study, the cognitive stimulation promoted benefits among institutionalized elderly, despite the low educational level of the group and the limitations in intervention accessibility and performance.1010. Chariglione IPF, Janczura GA. Contribuições de um treino cognitivo para a memória de idosos institucionalizados. Psico USF. 2013;18(1):13-22. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1413-82712013000100003.
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1413-8271201300...

Regarding language abilities, few studies have investigated the effectiveness of language stimulation programs for the health of this population.1111. Souza IA, Massi G, Berberian AP, Guarinello AC, Carnevale L. The impact of discursive linguistic activities in promoting the health of elderly people in a long-term care institution. Audiol Commun Res. 2015;20(2):175-81. https://doi.org/10.1590/S2317-64312015000200001490
https://doi.org/10.1590/S2317-6431201500...
1313. Silva MC. O uso de aplicativo na terapia fonaudiológica em um caso de distúrbio cognitivo da comunicação. Monografia [Bacharelado em Fonoaudiologia]. Nova Friburgo: Universidade Federal Fluminense; 2017. Favorable results for greater social interaction were pointed in a qualitative study with 10 neurologically healthy aged people, exposed to linguistic-discursive activities in 16 group meetings held at a home for the aged.1111. Souza IA, Massi G, Berberian AP, Guarinello AC, Carnevale L. The impact of discursive linguistic activities in promoting the health of elderly people in a long-term care institution. Audiol Commun Res. 2015;20(2):175-81. https://doi.org/10.1590/S2317-64312015000200001490
https://doi.org/10.1590/S2317-6431201500...
Positive effects of interventions implemented were also observed in two single-case studies of aged people with dementia residing at a home for the aged.1212. Marquete VF. A efetividade da terapia fonoaudiológica no nível discursivo: estudo de caso em distúrbio linguístico-cognitivo. Monografia [Bacharelado em Fonoaudiologia]. Nova Friburgo: Universidade Federal Fluminense; 2017.,1313. Silva MC. O uso de aplicativo na terapia fonaudiológica em um caso de distúrbio cognitivo da comunicação. Monografia [Bacharelado em Fonoaudiologia]. Nova Friburgo: Universidade Federal Fluminense; 2017. However, the associations between language and cognitive skills were not investigated in these studies.

The present study sought to contribute with new evidence by investigating the effects of language stimulation on the cognition of institutionalized aged people. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize the cognitive-linguistic profile of the institutionalized aged and to compare performance before and after a Language Stimulation Program (LSP).

METHODS

An exploratory case series study approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the lead institution (permit No. 3.281.461) was conducted. The study involved aged residents of a home for the aged housing 66 individuals, located in a city of Rio de Janeiro State. All participants and/or their legal guardians consented and/or agreed to take part in the study, conducted in 2019.

From this population, a sample of 11 participants was recruited, aged 60 years old or older, of both genders, with no history of neurological or neuropsychiatric disease and/or no current or previous diagnosis of communication disorders. The remaining residents were excluded for presenting neuropsychiatric conditions, including moderate or severe dementia, or intellectual disability, blindness, or non-corrected poor vision and/or deafness, which precluded standard assessment of cognition and/or language. Of the 11 residents who met the inclusion criteria, 9 agreed to take part in the study and underwent the initial assessment to characterize cognitive-linguistic profile.

The second stage involved the selection of participants for inclusion in the LSP. They were selected from the 9 participants in the first stage of the research, in which the linguistic-cognitive profile of the group was investigated. For eligibility, participants’ performance had to lie within the normal range in one of the language subtests applied. After appliying the initial assessment, a sample of 6 individuals was included based on performance, although 1 resident subsequently died. None of the participants met the diagnostic criteria for neurogenic language disorders. Thus, a total of 5 aged individuals completed the final assessment, entailing application of the same instruments used in the first assessment. However, only 2 participants actually joined the program, often with sessions above 90%. Data on the other participants who did not join, that is, who participated in some sessions or none of them, were analyzed for comparison purposes.

Participants were assessed pre and post-LSP by applying two instruments, validated and standardized for use in aged Brazilian Portuguese speakers, namely: the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCa), a screening test to differentiate patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) from aged people with normal cognitive aging,1414. Sarmento AL, Bertolucci PH, Wajman JR. Montreal cognitive assessment versão experimental brasileira. Moca Test Inc.: Quebéc; 2007 [accessed on Nov 18, 2018]. Available at: https://www.mocatest.org
https://www.mocatest.org...
and the Montreal Toulouse Language Assessment Battery – Brazil (MTL-BR), used for screening for language disorders.1515. Parente MA, Fonseca RP, Pagliarin KC, Barreto SS, Soares-Ishigaki EC, Hibarer LC et al. Bateria Montreal-Toulouse de Avaliação da Linguagem MTL-Brasil. São Paulo: Vetor; 2016. In the present study, the MTL-BR subtests Oral narrative discourse and Oral text comprehension were used to analyze participants’ expressive and receptive language aspects, respectively.

Each brief evaluation (assessment or reassessment) was performed through one or two weekly sessions lasting up to 60 minutes each, conducted at the home for the aged. At each assessment, the MoCa was applied followed by the subtests of the MTL-BR Battery, as per standardized instructions, and answers were scored using criteria based on normative data for each test.1414. Sarmento AL, Bertolucci PH, Wajman JR. Montreal cognitive assessment versão experimental brasileira. Moca Test Inc.: Quebéc; 2007 [accessed on Nov 18, 2018]. Available at: https://www.mocatest.org
https://www.mocatest.org...
,1515. Parente MA, Fonseca RP, Pagliarin KC, Barreto SS, Soares-Ishigaki EC, Hibarer LC et al. Bateria Montreal-Toulouse de Avaliação da Linguagem MTL-Brasil. São Paulo: Vetor; 2016.

The LSP is designed to promote the communication of institutionalized aged people, thereby improving their cognitive status and helping them maintain cognitive and linguistic abilities. The program was implemented in groups for 11 weeks, entailing 13 intervention sessions of 50 minutes each, whose therapeutic goals were: to optimize communicative practices among residents; and optimize both expressive and receptive aspects of spoken language. An overview of the program is presented in Chart 1, including specific goals and therapeutic strategies covered in each session.

Performance of the participants in the LSP was recorded at each session by making individualized notes and audio and/or video recordings, when applicable, to observe aspects related to auditory comprehension and oral expression of each participant during the group sessions. In addition, clinical evolution of participants from initial assessment to reassessment was tracked by collecting data from medical records. The following data were collected: medications administered, exams performed, behavior, health status and family assistance, encompassing aspects which might influence the results of this study.

Statistical analysis:

In view of the exploratory nature of the present study and the sample size, the data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including analysis of the distribution of relative frequency for categorical variables, and median, minimum, and maximum values for continuous variables. The independent variable analyzed was the adherence to the program. Dependent variables were: the total score on the MoCA test and the measures in the language subtests (number os words, number of information units (IU), number of scenes and score on the oral comprehension test). Pre- and post-LSP results were compared by calculating the difference between the scores attained at the two assessments, with results plotted in line graphics and bar charts.

RESULTS

At the time of recruiting participants for the study, only 16.7% of the aged residents of homes for the aged had no diagnosed neuropsychiatric diseases or visual and/or hearing loss in their medical charts. Of the sample of 9 participants who agreed to take part in the study, most were male (66.6%) and age ranged from 64 to 93 years (median=1 years). Regarding educational level, 88.9% had ≤8 years of formal schooling. Time institutionalized ranged from 7 to 144 months.

On the initial assessment, MoCA scores ranged from 10 to 27 (median=16). Only one participant had a score within the normal expected range (≥26). Regarding linguistic performance, in the oral expression subtest of the MTL-BR Battery (Oral narrative discourse), participants produced discourse of 7 to 144 words (median=53) and only one participant a score below normal for this measure.1515. Parente MA, Fonseca RP, Pagliarin KC, Barreto SS, Soares-Ishigaki EC, Hibarer LC et al. Bateria Montreal-Toulouse de Avaliação da Linguagem MTL-Brasil. São Paulo: Vetor; 2016. Median scores in the other measures of this subtest were: 2 points for IU, range 0–8 points, and 0 points for scene elements (minimum: 0; maximum: 3), suggesting impairment of micro/macrolinguistic aspects of oral discourse.1515. Parente MA, Fonseca RP, Pagliarin KC, Barreto SS, Soares-Ishigaki EC, Hibarer LC et al. Bateria Montreal-Toulouse de Avaliação da Linguagem MTL-Brasil. São Paulo: Vetor; 2016. Only 33.3% of the group produced coherent and cohesive narratives. In the auditory comprehension subtest of the MTL-BR Battery (oral text comprehension), participants scored 2–8 points, median of 5 points and, thus, performance was within normal parameters.1515. Parente MA, Fonseca RP, Pagliarin KC, Barreto SS, Soares-Ishigaki EC, Hibarer LC et al. Bateria Montreal-Toulouse de Avaliação da Linguagem MTL-Brasil. São Paulo: Vetor; 2016. However, the performance of 3 participants was below normal. Results of these assessments by participants in each MoCa task or MTL-BR subtest item are given in Table 1.

Table 1
Cognitive and linguistic performance of institutionalized elderly.

Sociodemographic data of the 5 participants who participated in the LSP and completed the final assessment are presented in Chart 2. They had different levels of intervention adherence, from 92 to 0% of attendance to the LSP sessions (Chart 2). Thus, they were grouped into: subgroup 1 (P1 and P7), which effectively joined the program; subgroup 2 (P3 and P6), which participated in less than 1/3 of the sessions; and subgroup 3, composed only of P2, who did not participate in the program.

Total MoCa scores for each participant in the initial assessment and reassessment are depicted in Figure 1. Results show that the scores of participants in subgroup 1 improved in the reassessment. Participants’ performance in the MoCa test for each task, together with the difference between assessment and reassessment, are given in Table 2.

Figure 1
Performance in the Montreal Cognitive Assessment test on assessment and reassessment.
Table 2
Performance in the Montreal Cognitive Assessment test tasks for assessment and reassessment.

Participants’ performance for the measures of oral expression (IU and scenes) of the MTL-BR Battery in the two assessments is depicted in Figure 2. Results show that 3 participants improved IU scores (subgroups 1 and 2), whereas only 1 improved scores in the MTL scenes (subgroup 1).

Figure 2
Performance in the Oral narrative subtest of the Montreal Toulouse Language Battery on assessment and reassessment.

The total scores for the oral text comprehension test at assessment and reassessment were compared (Figure 3). Performance in oral text comprehension either declined (subgroups 1 and 2) or remained stable (subgroups 1 and 3) for all participants.

Figure 3
Performance of the participants in the Oral text comprehension of the Montreal Toulouse Language Battery on the assessment and reassessment.

The scores of the participants in the oral narrative discourse and in oral text comprehension for the MTL-BR Battery subtests at assessment and reassessment, along with the difference between them for each measure, are given in Table 3.

Table 3
Performance on the Montreal Toulouse Language Assessment-Brazil Battery subtests for assessment and reassessment.

A summary of the most relevant findings for participants’ clinical progression between assessment and reassessment by subgroup is given in Chart 3.

DISCUSSION

Most of the participants who underwent the initial assessment through MoCa performed less than expected (88.9%), despite having no neuropsychiatric diagnosis recorded in their medical charts. The results of a previous Brazilian study assessing the performance of community-dwelling older adults revealed conditions related to probable cognitive decline/dementia in 26% of the studied sample (n=99),1616. Freitas DH, Campos FC, Linhares LQ, Santos CR, Ferreira CB, Diniz BS et al. Autopercepção da saúde e desempenho cognitivo em idosos residentes em comunidade. Rev Psiq Clin. 2010;37(1):49-52. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0101-60832010000100007
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0101-60832010...
suggesting that the number of aged individuals with these impairments in homes for the aged could be considerable. According to Mello et al.,1717. Mello BL, Haddad MC, Dellaroza MS. Avaliação cognitiva de idosos institucionalizados. Acta Sci, Health Sci. 2012;34(1):95-102. https://doi.org/10.23925/2176-901X.2009v12i1p%25p
https://doi.org/10.23925/2176-901X.2009v...
institutionalization is a factor that can contribute to a decline in cognitive performance of aged residents. In their study, 39.3% of participants presented cognitive impairment.1717. Mello BL, Haddad MC, Dellaroza MS. Avaliação cognitiva de idosos institucionalizados. Acta Sci, Health Sci. 2012;34(1):95-102. https://doi.org/10.23925/2176-901X.2009v12i1p%25p
https://doi.org/10.23925/2176-901X.2009v...

The current analysis of individual performance of each participant (Table 1) revealed that everyone committed errors involving more than one cognitive ability. Performance in tasks involving executive functions, delayed recall/memory, attention, and visuoperceptual ability was affected in a greater number of residents (4–8 participants), all of whom scored zero. Regarding the language/fluency and abstraction tasks, over 50% of participants scored half the total or less, indicating a higher rate of impairment of these abilities.

For the group's language performance, this ability was more preserved than cognitive performance. Of the language measures used, the group's performance was within the expected range in the oral text comprehension subtest, but lower for the oral expression of the discourse. In cases of MCI, there is a pattern of linguistic impairment involving more specifically the semantic level and emissive tasks, such as naming, verbal fluency and processing at the discursive level.1818. Taler V, Phillips NA. Language performance in Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment: a comparative review. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol. 2008;50(5):501-56. https://doi.org/10.1080/13803390701550128
https://doi.org/10.1080/1380339070155012...
A total of 33.3% of participants had normal performance in the oral expression and comprehension measures (Table 1).

Comparison of scores on the MoCa for the initial assessment and the reassessment (Figure 1), showed that the LSP promoted improvement in overall cognitive performance, as measured by the total test score. Only participants of subgroup 1 (P1 and P7) who fully adhered to the program had higher scores in the reassessment. As shown in Table 2, P1 improved in naming, orientation, and calculation tasks, but worsened in memory ones; whereas P7 improved performance in attention, abstraction, calculation, and visuospatial tasks, but declined in the orientation task. Tasks whose performance varied between assessments were not common in these two cases, except for the improvement in the calculation task, whose relationship with language skills is quite specific.1919. De Luccia G, Ortiz KZ. Association between aphasia and acalculia: an analytical cross-sectional study. Int J Clin Med. 2016;7:1-9. https://doi.org/10.4236/ijcm.2016.71001
https://doi.org/10.4236/ijcm.2016.71001...
Considering that a cognitive screening test was used, it is not possible to analyze the possible impact of linguistic stimulation on specific cognitive skills. Future research using cognitive assessment batteries may contribute to a better understanding of these possible associations.

Participants of subgroups 2 (P3 and P6) and 3 (P2) showed no improvement in the total score on reassessment. Participant P6, whose performance was normal in the initial assessment, had below average performance in reassessment. With regard to subgroup 2, clinical deterioration occurred during the course of the study, which may have contributed to the performance decline seen in these participants during reassessment, such as behavioral disorders and medication use (Chart 3).2020. Nogueira SL, Ribeiro RC, Rosado LE, Franceschini SC, Ribeiro AQ, Pereira ET. Fatores determinantes da capacidade funcional em idosos longevos. Rev Bras Fisioter. 2010;14(4):1-8. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1413-35552010005000019
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1413-3555201000...
The performance of participant P2 in the MoCa also worsened, albeit to a lesser extent. Although this individual had no relevant clinical complications in the period, the subject displayed social engagement constraints, with limited social interaction practices, refusing to take part in activities at the home. Social isolation and institutionalization are risk factors for the development of cognitive dysfunctions and, therefore, the lower scores might be partially explained by these aspects. Thus, it is vital that professionals working in these environments devise strategies to enable communication and help users to better adapt to the changes brought about by institutionalization.1111. Souza IA, Massi G, Berberian AP, Guarinello AC, Carnevale L. The impact of discursive linguistic activities in promoting the health of elderly people in a long-term care institution. Audiol Commun Res. 2015;20(2):175-81. https://doi.org/10.1590/S2317-64312015000200001490
https://doi.org/10.1590/S2317-6431201500...
,2121. Bilton TL, Suzuki H, Soares LT, Venites JP. Fonoaudiologia em Gerontologia. In: Freitas EV, Py L. Tratado de Geriatria e Gerontologia. 4. ed. Rio de Janeiro: Guanabara Koogan; 2017. p.1372-81.

The results of this preliminary study suggest that group language stimulation may help improve cognitive abilities in institutionalized aged people with impaired cognition and oral expression, exemplified by the cases analyzed. In the neurolinguistics field, human interactions and language are regarded by many scholars as a fundamental factor for the development of cognition.88. Potkins D, Myint P, Bannister C, Tadros G, Chitharamohan R, Swann A, et al. Language impairment in dementia: impact on symptoms and care needs in residential homes. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2003;18:1002-6. https://doi.org/10.1002/gps.1002
https://doi.org/10.1002/gps.1002...
,1111. Souza IA, Massi G, Berberian AP, Guarinello AC, Carnevale L. The impact of discursive linguistic activities in promoting the health of elderly people in a long-term care institution. Audiol Commun Res. 2015;20(2):175-81. https://doi.org/10.1590/S2317-64312015000200001490
https://doi.org/10.1590/S2317-6431201500...
,2222. Morato EM. Das relações entre linguagem, cognição e interação: algumas implicações para o campo da saúde. LemD. 2016;16(3):575-90. https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-4017-160304-0516d.
https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-4017-160304...

With regard to the possible effects of LSP on the linguistic performance of the participants, for oral expression abilities (Figure 2), IU scores increased in the two members of subgroup 1 (P1 and P7) and also in P3 from subgroup 2, but decreased in the other cases. Resident P7 attained the cut-off score for this measure, indicating no impairment in this aspect of the discourse after intervention. The declines seen in the other cases did not translate into impairment of this ability, i.e., their scores remained within normal limits on reassessment. Participant P3, whose involvement in the program was greater than that of P6, showed improvement in this task, indicating that a minimum number of sessions is required to yield positive results for oral discourse under the program. Case studies with institutionalized aged people with dementia indicated an improvement in lexical skills in the oral discourse after individualized LSP.1212. Marquete VF. A efetividade da terapia fonoaudiológica no nível discursivo: estudo de caso em distúrbio linguístico-cognitivo. Monografia [Bacharelado em Fonoaudiologia]. Nova Friburgo: Universidade Federal Fluminense; 2017.,1313. Silva MC. O uso de aplicativo na terapia fonaudiológica em um caso de distúrbio cognitivo da comunicação. Monografia [Bacharelado em Fonoaudiologia]. Nova Friburgo: Universidade Federal Fluminense; 2017.

The performance of users in terms of number of scenes revealed that the only participant who improved in the macrolinguistic aspect was part of subgroup 1, i.e., who adhered to the treatment (P7), whereas participant P1 did not improve in this parameter. Although the other participants failed to show performance improvements, their scores remained within normal limits, with no clinically relevant impairments detected. Additionally, no qualitative differences in discourse cohesion or coherence between the two assessments were observed. In the study by Marquete, with an institutionalized elderly woman with dementia, there was no change in this measure after the proposed LSP using the same test. However, when the evaluation took place through oral narrative discourse, based on a sequence of scenes, an improvement was observed in the production of macropropositions.1212. Marquete VF. A efetividade da terapia fonoaudiológica no nível discursivo: estudo de caso em distúrbio linguístico-cognitivo. Monografia [Bacharelado em Fonoaudiologia]. Nova Friburgo: Universidade Federal Fluminense; 2017. Such evaluation strategies seem to be more sensitive according to the review carried out on language changes in MCI and dementia.1818. Taler V, Phillips NA. Language performance in Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment: a comparative review. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol. 2008;50(5):501-56. https://doi.org/10.1080/13803390701550128
https://doi.org/10.1080/1380339070155012...

For oral discourse comprehension, none of the participants exhibited improvements. However, performance remained within parameters of normality for this measure in reassessment, confirming no clinical decline in this ability among participants, except for P3 from subgroup 2, whose overall clinical status declined over the study period (Chart 3). In LSP applied to an institutionalized aged person with dementia mentioned above,1212. Marquete VF. A efetividade da terapia fonoaudiológica no nível discursivo: estudo de caso em distúrbio linguístico-cognitivo. Monografia [Bacharelado em Fonoaudiologia]. Nova Friburgo: Universidade Federal Fluminense; 2017. who showed impaired oral comprehension, an improved performance was observed.

In terms of the LSP implementation, although designed as a group intervention, strategies were adapted to the specificities of each participant, such as pre-intervention cognitive profile, where this may have influenced the results of the subgroup which fully adhered to the program. Mapping the cognitive profile of the aged allows targeted treatment plans for personalized care, promoting strategies that produce greater satisfaction for residents of homes for the aged.2323. Ferreira LS, Pinho MS, Pereira MW, Ferreira AP. Perfil cognitivo de idosos residentes em Instituições de Longa Permanência de Brasília-DF. Rev Bras Enferm. 2014;67(2):247-51. https://doi.org/10.5935/0034-7167.20140033
https://doi.org/10.5935/0034-7167.201400...
Speech and language therapists, given their focus on communication, are best placed to implement therapeutic strategies that stimulate oral discourse abilities and communication exchange of residents with team members, relatives, and friends, creating a care environment that favors the cognitive health of these elderly. Such health promotion pratices contribute to the engagement of the aged in richer communicative interactions with their interlocutors and can contribute to the reduction of linguistic isolation and its consequences, including the cognition of this group.2424. Corwin AI. Overcoming elderspeak: a qualitative study of three alternatives. Gerontologist. 2018;58(4):724-9. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnx009
https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnx009...
Additionally, this professional can contribute to the identification of changes in language skills in individuals at risk for MCI.77. Mc Cullough KC, Bayles JA, Bouldin ED. Language performance of individuals at risk for mild cognitive impairment. J Speech Lang Hear Res. 2019;62:706-22. https://doi.org/10.1044/2018_JSLHR-L-18-0232
https://doi.org/10.1044/2018_JSLHR-L-18-...

The present study has several limitations. A limitation was the small sample size, due to the high level of morbidity found in the home for the aged, precluding the inclusion of many potential participants. Therefore, the therapeutic treatment plans of this study should be adapted to the situation of residents of each institution, determining which care practices meet their health needs, including end-of-life care. Another limitation involved the study type, preventing conclusions about the effectiveness of the program. The inclusion of more outcome measures related to language and cognition would also be necessary to assess the effects of the program. Further studies with an emphasis on clinical effectiveness should be conducted in the form of randomized clinical trials encompassing other previously investigated group therapy approaches.

The present study revealed that, in the initial assessment, all participants had evidence of impairment in more than one cognitive ability. In the group studied, language proved more preserved than other cognitive functions, particularly oral comprehension of discourse. The LSP promoted an improvement in cognitive performance, assessed by the total MoCa score, and oral language expression of those residents who adhered effectively to the group intervention. However, no positive effects on the participants’ oral comprehension abilities were evident. This finding highlights the need to adapt the program, particularly its oral comprehension strategies, so it can be used in future studies. Further studies will be necessary considering the preliminary nature of this study.

  • This study was conducted at the Universidade Federal Fluminense, Instituto de Saúde de Nova Friburgo, Departamento de Formação Específica em Fonoaudiologia, Nova Friburgo, RJ, Brazil.
  • Funding: Programa Institucional de Bolsas de Iniciação Científica (PIBIC), Process n. IC190495.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors would like to thank the Institutional Program of Scientific Initiation Scholarships (Programa Institucional de Bolsas de Iniciação Científica — PIBIC) for the funding granted for this study.

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Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    09 Apr 2021
  • Date of issue
    Jan-Mar 2021

History

  • Received
    25 Apr 2020
  • Accepted
    02 Dec 2020
Academia Brasileira de Neurologia, Departamento de Neurologia Cognitiva e Envelhecimento R. Vergueiro, 1353 sl.1404 - Ed. Top Towers Offices, Torre Norte, São Paulo, SP, Brazil, CEP 04101-000, Tel.: +55 11 5084-9463 | +55 11 5083-3876 - São Paulo - SP - Brazil
E-mail: revistadementia@abneuro.org.br | demneuropsy@uol.com.br