Delivering Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) Virtually: Developing and Field-Testing a New Framework

Purpose

This feasibility and pilot study aimed to develop and field-test a 14-session virtual Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (vCST) programme for people living with dementia, developed as a result of services moving online during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

The vCST protocol was developed using the existing group CST manual, through stakeholder consultation with people living with dementia, caregivers, CST group facilitators and dementia service managers. This protocol was then field-tested with 10 groups of people living with dementia in the Brazil, China (Hong Kong), India, Ireland and the UK, and feedback on the protocol was gathered from 14 facilitators.

Results

Field testing in five countries indicated acceptability to group facilitators and participants. Feedback from these groups was used to refine the developed protocol. The final vCST protocol is proposed, including session materials for delivery of CST over videoconferencing and a framework for offering CST virtually in global settings.

Conclusion

vCST is a feasible online intervention for many people living with dementia. We recommend that it is offered to those unable to access traditional in-person CST for health reasons, lack of transport or COVID-19 restrictions. Further research is needed to explore if participant outcomes are comparable to in-person CST groups.

Effectiveness of a Nursing Intervention Module on Adherence, Knowledge, Quality of Life, and Complications Among Patients Receiving Anticoagulation therapy-a Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular diseases are one of the major causes of mortality at the global level. They account for approximately 17.9 million deaths per year. Warfarin and acenocoumarol are the commonly used oral anticoagulants to treat and prevent thromboembolic disorders in patients with cardiovascular diseases. In India, approximately 2-2.5 million patients with rheumatic heart disease are receiving oral anticoagulation therapy. Additionally, this therapy is provided for stroke prevention in the case of atrial fibrillation and the treatment of valvular heart disease, stroke, and deep vein thrombosis. As the therapeutic range of these drugs is narrow and is affected by many factors, their use is challenging. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a nursing intervention module in terms of adherence to therapy, knowledge, quality of life, and complications among patients receiving oral anticoagulation therapy. Furthermore, this study will address factors that affect adherence and the risk for bleeding by using a randomized controlled trial design.

METHODS

This single-blind, single-center, randomized controlled trial will focus on adherence to oral anticoagulation therapy. A total of 320 patients who are on oral anticoagulation therapy will be randomized into blocks and allocated to either the intervention or standard care group. The intervention will comprise the use of a nursing intervention module that includes a booklet, log sheet, and decision aid on oral anticoagulation therapy adherence. Outcome measures, that is, knowledge regarding oral anticoagulation therapy, adherence, complications, and quality of life, will be assessed at the baseline and during follow-ups.

DISCUSSION

Patient safety can be best achieved through patients' adherence to medication dose and monitoring of blood test values. Thromboembolic and bleeding complications are likely to occur when either the patient does not adhere to the treatment or the therapeutic range of the international normalized ratio is not maintained. This study will assess the nonadherence behavior and the effectiveness of a nursing intervention module toward adherence behavior.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This research project is registered under the Clinical Trial Registry of India (CTRI/2019/06/019610).