1. Cognitive and Social Stimulation: A Pilot Study
Cognitive and Social Stimulation: A Pilot Study. Psychosocial Issues and Length of Stay.
Nigel North
Clinical Psychologist/Neuropsychologist

2. Background
Almost 66% of beds are occupied by people over the age of 65
Increasing interest in improving acute hospital care for older people
Loss of autonomy, independence, mood disorder are issues for older people in acute medical wards
(DOH 2001, 2003, 2004)

3. Psychosocial Issues
A number of studies have identified psychosocial issues as influencing length of stay, engagement in rehabilitation and morbidity
These issues include depression, anxiety and cognitive problems
Other issues identified include, loss of control over environment, a reduction in meaningful and valued activity, loss of mobility and independence
(Siebens et al 2000, Eyres and Unsworth 2005, DOH 2008, Callum et al 2008)

4. Psychological Issues and Costs
A variety of physical health conditions associated with depression: Stroke, CHD, Diabetes, Cancer (NICE 2009)
Depression common in people with dementia (Baylor et al 2000) (62%)
Depression associated with a 50% increase in financial costs of medical care (Katon 2003)
Mood disorder may lead to deterioration in some conditions (Stroke, CHD, Diabetes) (NICE 2009). Cause vs consequence

5. Older People in Hospital
Significant numbers of older people in hospital have depressive symptoms that may hinder their recovery (Cullum et al 2008)
Detection of Psychosocial Problems is poor (Jenkins et al 2010)
Adverse outcomes resulting from this may include:
Delayed Discharge (Holmes & House 2000)
Greater risk of readmission (Koenig 1999)
Higher mortality (Cullum et al 2008)
Functional status and cognitive decline predictive of LOS, Mortality, discharge destination (Campbell et al 2004)

6. What can be done in order to help?
Medication
Costs
Side effects
Psychological therapy
1:1
Group
IAPT
Numbers of people to ‘treat’
Numbers of ‘Therapists’ required

7. Clinical Psychology Project
Aim:
To increase social engagement
Provide cognitive and intellectual stimulation
Improve well being and mood

8. Method Delivered by voluntary assistant psychologists
Rota for each week day (3 people for half a day)
One to one
Group
Designed to meet individuals needs and level of functioning
Medical Ward and Stroke Ward

9. Training Communication skills Psychological therapy skills (basic)
Education (dementia, neuroscience, values)
Problem solving skills
Detection/Recognition of psychological disorder

10. Activities
‘Social Games’ (Bingo, Scrabble, Cards, Word and Number ‘Games’
Newspaper discussion groups
Conversation groups
Reminiscence (group/individual)
Cognitive Retraining Approaches (Quiz, Crosswords, ‘Brain Training’)
Voluntary participation but all approached unless ward indicated otherwise

11. Assessment
Assessment of Mood (Brief Assessment Schedule Depression Cards , BASDEC)
Satisfaction Questionnaires, 5 point scale (Activities, Ward Environment, Care)
Length of Stay (LOS)
June 2010 – April 2011
LOS assessed two months before and two months after intervention

12. Preliminary Results 1. No of participants 110 (82 males, 28 females)
Average Age: 80.4 years (SD = 9.7)
Significant reduction in depression between pre and post assessment (67 vs 13)
Significant increase in satisfaction with activities available on the ward
Significant increase in patient satisfaction with ward environment
Significant increase in satisfaction with care provided on the ward

13. Cognitive Problems 42 ‘Mild’ Cognitive Impairment
18 Moderate Cognitive Impairment
?Dementia?

14. Comments “The activities were so very useful and helpful”
“The chats and cards were really good”
“I enjoyed the hand massage and chatting, it makes the day go quicker”
“This has been really good, I wish I could see them after I leave here”
“I enjoyed the activities, particularly a good chat”

15. Comments
“I am usually so lonely with no-one to talk to, everyone is so busy doing their work, I really appreciate having these people coming in”
“I have made new friends here through the conversation groups”
“It made me feel more alive, more alert, more me”
“It’s great, it really adds something to the day, you feel more useful, more involved”

16. Length of Stay Collected by the hospital in hours
Data for two months prior to the start of the project and for a follow up period of two months after it

17. LOS Medical Ward LOS pre-intervention 273.55 hours
LOS post-intervention hours
Reduction 24% (65.7hrs)
Stroke Ward
LOS pre-intervention hours
LOS post-intervention hours
Reduction % ( hours)

18. Length of Stay Medical Ward (pre) 273.55 hrs
Stroke Ward (pre) hrs
The LOS for the 110 people involved
Medical hrs (74.05Hrs)
Stroke hrs ( hrs)

19. Conclusions The project improves mood
The project improves satisfaction
?? Length of Stay
Costs are negligible. The project was run by volunteers of which we have hundreds. Three hours of training was given to the volunteers at the beginning of the project and five hours of supervision given during the project (Total of 8 hours of an assistant psychologist’s time = £96
To be continued………