Authors: (including presenting author): :
Tsoi US(1), Tam KC(1), Leung HF(1), Chow CK(1), Wong WK(1), Siu YY(1), Tsang SK(1), Chung SC(1)
Affiliation: :
(1) Occupational Therapy Department, Princess Margaret Hospital
Keyword 1: :
Cognitive rehabilitation
Keyword 2: :
Mild cognitive impairment
Keyword 3: :
Quality of life
Keyword 4: :
Cognitive function
Keyword 5: :
functional status
Introduction: :
Comprehensive cognitive interventions have been delivered by occupational therapists (OTs) in Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) for years but in a relatively scattered manner. Currently, OTs in Hong Kong's public hospitals are encountering challenges in delivering timely, high-quality cognitive rehabilitation due to rising demand and resource constraints. In view of this, we reorganized our services in PMH with a newly modified 6-week multi-domain cognitive rehabilitation group program (MCIG). This study evaluates the feasibility and effectiveness of the MCIG program as a potential cost-effective solution to the challenges mentioned above.
Objectives: :
This study aims to investigate the effect of the MCIG program on the cognitive function, functional status and quality of life among patients with mild cognitive impairment.
Methodology: :
This was a retrospective pilot study. Data from participants aged ≥65 who attended ≥4 sessions from August 2024 to February 2025 were analyzed (n=21).Content of the multi-domain MCIG program included:1) cognitive training (attention, memory, executive function) 2) strategic training 3) psychoeducation 4) lifestyle and behavioral advice. Modes of service delivery for each session: 1. Educational sharing 2. Interactive activities 3. Skills practice 4. Structured home programs Outcome measures included Montreal Cognitive Assessment Hong Kong Version (HK-MoCA), the World Health Organization- Five Well-being Index (WHO-5), the Activities of Daily Living Questionnaire (ADLQ) and a self-rated questionnaire. Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test was adopted in data analysis.
Result & Outcome: :
Result: For quality of life and mental well-being, significant improvement was found in WHO-5 score (p=0.029). Participants rated high level of satisfaction and degree of happiness with median rating of 8 out of 10 in the self-rated questionnaire. Regarding cognitive function, no significant change was shown but there was an increase in median score in HK-MoCA (pre-treatment=17, post-treatment=18). In the self-rated questionnaire, over 70% participants selected “mild improvement” in aspects of memory, problem-solving and learning ability. They also showed increased understanding of cognition with median rating of 7 out of 10. For functional status, no significant enhancement was detected. However, a reduction in the median score in ADLQ (pre-treatment=20.1, post-treatment=17.9) reflected potential gains in functional capability. Conclusion: The MCIG program significantly improved patients’ quality of life and promoted subjective improvement in cognitive performance. Potential benefit towards the objective cognitive function and functional status were shown despite non-significant outcome findings. Overall, this pilot study serves as a crucial preliminary foundation for further program modification and future research practice.
