Cognitive Stimulation Therapy for older people with Dementia in Africa: A Scoping Review

TL;DR

This review explores how Cognitive Stimulation Therapy can be used for older people with dementia in Africa, finding it adaptable and beneficial despite some cultural challenges.

Contribution

The paper provides the first scoping review of Cognitive Stimulation Therapy's application and outcomes in African dementia care.

Findings

CST has been adapted and piloted in Nigeria and Tanzania with positive clinical outcomes.

CST improves cognition and quality of life for older people with dementia in Africa.

Cultural barriers like religious affiliation and respect for elders need to be addressed for wider adoption.

Abstract

Background: Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) is a non-pharmacological intervention developed for dementia that is useful in Africa but has not been studied widely. We reviewed the existing evidence regarding CST among older people living with dementia in Africa.

Methods: A systematic literature search on CST among older people with dementia in Africa from 2000-2021 was done in MEDLINE (PubMed), CINAHL (EBSCOhost), and PsycINFO. A narrative approach was taken to chart, synthesize and interpret the data using Microsoft Excel.

Results: After removing duplicates using Endnote, a total of 122 studies were retained and screened first by title, then abstract, and finally by full text. Seven articles matched the inclusion/exclusion criteria. CST has been adapted and piloted in two African countries (Nigeria and Tanzania). CST studies in Africa indicate improvements in clinical outcomes including cognition and quality of life. Although there are some barriers to overcome, CST has significant facilitators in an African context.

Conclusions: CST is feasible, adaptable, and acceptable in the African countries it has been implemented in. Some cultural barriers, such as religious affiliation and respect for older people, should be overcome. Further research is needed to further evaluate the efficacy of CST in various African contexts.

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