Cognitive stimulation, training, and rehabilitation

Non-pharmacological therapies (NPT) are nonchemical, theoretically based, replicable interventions that produce relevant benefits for people with dementia and their caregivers. Three types of cognition-focused NPT are distinguished: cognitive stimulation (CS), which engages people with cognitive deterioration in a range of group activities and discussions aimed at general enhancement of cognitive and social functioning; cognitive training (CT), which focuses on particular cognitive functions; and cognitive rehabilitation (CR), which involves patients and family to achieve personally relevant goals. While CS is indicated in people with mild to moderate dementia for improvement in general cognition, CR faces the challenge to deliver cost-effective programmes.