Empirical Effects and Policy Implications of Integrated Cognitive Intervention of Non-Pharmaceuticals Considering Dementia Severity of the Elderly in Super-Aged Society

• Published in: 한국비교정부학보, 29(2) pp. 27 - 48
• Main Authors: 이상엽, 박소임
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 한국비교정부학회 01.06.2025
• Subjects: 행정학
• ISSN: 1598-964X; 2713-5357
• DOI: 10.18397/kcgr.2025.29.2.27

(Purpose) This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an integrated cognitive rehabilitation program designed according to the severity of dementia in improving cognitive function and emotional well-being among older adults with moderate dementia. As the prevalence of dementia increases in Korea’s super-aged society, the need for tailored, non-pharmacological interventions becomes more pressing. The study seeks to provide empirical evidence supporting community-based cognitive support strategies that respond to individual characteristics such as gender and long-term care level. (Design/methodology/approach) A single-group pre-post design was applied to 12 participants diagnosed with moderate dementia, recruited from a local dementia safety center in Gyeonggi Province. The intervention spanned eight weeks and included bi-weekly sessions integrating cognitive training, reminiscence therapy, emotional stimulation, and social engagement. Standardized instruments—CIST, SGDS, SMCQ, and BAI—were used to assess changes in cognitive function, depression, memory complaints, and anxiety. Statistical analysis included Wilcoxon signed-rank tests and calculation of effect sizes to determine clinical relevance.(Findings) The program resulted in a statistically significant improvement in cognitive function (p = .013), with a large effect size (r = .718). Although emotional indicators such as depression, memory complaints, and anxiety did not show statistically significant differences, they demonstrated moderate effect sizes, suggesting meaningful trends. Additionally, variations were observed based on gender (higher anxiety in females) and long-term care grade (greater memory complaints in higher-dependency participants), indicating the need for individualized intervention strategies. (Research implications or Originality) This study confirms that even individuals with moderate dementia can benefit from structured, multidimensional cognitive rehabilitation. The findings contribute to bridging the gap in current dementia care by providing evidence for non-drug-based interventions suitable for the moderate stage, which has often been neglected in research and practice. Moreover, the research offers practical insights for policy development, emphasizing the need to establish standardized, severity-based programs in community dementia centers, and to promote personalized care based on functional and psychosocial profiles. KCI Citation Count: 0