Authors (including presenting author) :
Yau KY(1), Law ST(1), Chang SPV(2), Jim CH(2), Ho CME(2), Ip WM(1), Lau M(1)
Affiliation :
(1) Occupational Therapy Department, Shatin Hospital, (2) Occupational Therapy Department, Tai Po Hospital
Keyword 1: :
lifestyle intervention program
Keyword 2: :
experiential learning
Keyword 3: :
mild cognitive impairment
Keyword 4: :
early dementia
Introduction :
Memory impairments impact instrumental (IADL) and basic activities of daily living (BADL) functions for individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and early dementia. When attending psychoeducation programs, they may face challenges in generalizing learned knowledge into daily life. To address this challenge, the Lifestyle Intervention Program in Psychogeriatric Day Hospital, Shatin Hospital, incorporates experiential learning activities, aiming to promote generalization of knowledge into action and maintain functioning.
Objectives :
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the Lifestyle Intervention Program in
(1) promoting the generalization of knowledge from Lifestyle Intervention Program into action through experiential learning;
(2) encouraging effective use of memory coping strategies and aids in daily life;
(3) reducing subjective memory complaints;
(4) enhancing ADL and IADL function.
Methodology :
This program consisted of 8 weekly 45‑minute group sessions, comprising (1) psychoeducation on cognitive reserve, active cognitive lifestyle, healthy lifestyles, active social participation, (2) experiential learning activities on memory coping strategies and aids. Participants were (1) age ≥65, (2) HK-MoCA cut-off >7th percentile according to age and education level, (3) mentally stable. A pre-test and post-test design evaluated outcomes using (1) Abbreviated Memory Inventory for Chinese (AMIC), (2) Brief Assessment of Prospective Memory (BAPM), (3) Patient Satisfaction Survey using a 5-point Likert scale. Post-tests were conducted 1 week after program completion.
Result & Outcome :
From November 2025 to January 2026, 13 participants completed the program. The mean age was 76.3. From patient satisfaction survey, 100% of participants rated that experiential learning activities enhanced their generalization of knowledge into daily life. All participants reported improved abilities in utilizing memory coping strategies, with 77% successfully incorporating memory aids into daily life. Significant improvement in participants' memory, BADL and IADL function as indicated by significantly reduced scores in AMIC (z=-2.5, p=0.012, r=-0.9), BADL subscale of BAPM (z=-2, p=0.05, r=-0.7), IADL subscale of BAPM (z=-3, p=0.002, r=-0.9) and BAPM total score (z=-3, p=0.002, r=-0.9) using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. In conclusion, Lifestyle Intervention Program incorporating experiential learning activities is beneficial for individuals with MCI or early dementia to maintain daily functioning. Future studies should focus on larger scale implementation and evaluate long-term effects.
