| Budget Amount *help |
¥1,900,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,900,000)
Fiscal Year 2005: ¥900,000 (Direct Cost: ¥900,000)
Fiscal Year 2004: ¥1,000,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,000,000)
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| Research Abstract |
In this research project, we investigated the longitudinal change of quality of life of early stage dementia patients in order to establish an effective support technique. First of all, to know the present status of patients, we explored, cross sectionally, the relationship among caregiver burden, activities of daily living, behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), and cognitive function. The caregiver burden was highly correlated with BPSD. However, the relationship was varied depending on the kind of BPSD. We also showed the relationship between BPSD and cognitive function.
Then we investigated longitudinal change of cognitive function of Alzheimer's disease patients treated with donepezil chloride. The scores of MMSE in average were 22.9±4.2(before treatment),22.7±3.9(6 month),21.6±4.2(12 month),19.7±5.3(24 month).
Two years after treatment, almost half of patients still stay improved or no change. We also showed that the profile of cognitive impairment before the treatment predicts the rate of cognitive decline during 2 years follow up period.
Finally, we also investigated functional status of dementia patients according to the hierarchical classification of ADL ; basic ADL, instrumental ADL and advanced ADL including hobbies. Our results showed that advanced ADL is relatively preserved, by means of various supports provided by family caregivers.
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