Effectiveness of life story book intervention on apathy and verbal fluency in people with dementia

ABSTRACT Objectives This study determined whether the individual intervention of using life story books (LSBs) improves apathy and verbal fluency in people with dementia (PWD). Methods The intervention group (n = 43) underwent 3 interviews in the 10 weeks following an initial assessment. Based on the information obtained, LSBs were developed; participants received individual interventions weekly, five times for four weeks. They also received a final assessment 12 weeks after the end of the intervention. Primary outcome measures comprised the Categorical Verbal Fluency Test (CFT) and the Neuropsychiatric Inventory–Nursing Home Apathy sub-item. The control group (n = 32) underwent initial and final assessments at intervals of 28 weeks while receiving the best care services. Results CFT scores for participants with mild to moderate dementia increased from 4.3 to 5.3 (P < .05) and the interaction effect of group and data collection timing was significant (p < .05). Apathy score for participants with severe dementia also improved from 4.5 to 2.5 (P < .05) immediately after the intervention period. Conclusions LSB is a comprehensive communication tool that encourages apathy and verbal fluency. Clinical implications The use of LSB may allow caregivers to achieve intervention effects on apathy and verbal fluency in PWD.