Group cognitive stimulation for care-home residents with dementia or mild cognitive impairment
Official title: Effectiveness of Cognitive Stimulation Therapy Group for Residential Home Residents With Dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment-- A Randomized Controlled Trial
Run by City University of Hong Kong · NCT07372066 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will test whether a 14‑session group cognitive stimulation therapy helps older care‑home residents with dementia or mild cognitive impairment improve thinking, mood, activity, social engagement, and quality of life compared with a calligraphy activity.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 60 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 110 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | City University of Hong Kong Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Hong Kong, Hong Kong) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | January 1, 2026 |
| Main results expected | June 30, 2026 |
| Study ends | September 30, 2026 |
| Registry record updated | April 24, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07372066 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are residents aged 60 or older with a DSM‑5‑TR diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment or dementia who can participate independently in group activities and live in participating SAGE residential homes.
✕Probably not a fit
People with severe sensory impairments, disruptive behavior, major physical illnesses that require frequent hospitalization, or who cannot participate independently in group activities are unlikely to benefit and are excluded.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This multicenter, cluster‑randomized trial enrolls about 110 residents from SAGE old age homes in Hong Kong and randomizes activity groups to either a 14‑session Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) group or a calligraphy control group. Outcomes including standardized measures of cognitive function, depressive symptoms, activity engagement, social functioning, and quality of life will be measured before, after, and at 3‑month follow‑up by blinded research staff. The study also tests whether increases in engagement during groups predict cognitive improvement. Groups are allocated 1:1 and assessments use validated instruments such as the MoCA‑5 minute screening for undiagnosed participants.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could offer a low‑cost, group‑based way for care homes to improve residents' cognition, mood, engagement, social interaction, and overall quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Prior randomized trials of group Cognitive Stimulation Therapy have reported modest, reproducible improvements in cognition and quality of life for people with dementia, though direct comparisons with activity controls in residential‑home settings are less frequently reported.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. age 60 years or older; 2. diagnosis of MCI or dementia according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder (Fifth edition, Text Revision). Remark: Participants who do not receive a diagnosis of MCI or dementia will undergo a screening assessment by a researcher using the Chinese Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)-5 minutes. Exclusion Criteria: Those who are unable to participate independently in group activities, who exhibit disruptive behavior and/or are severely impaired by physical disabilities (e.g. severe hearing and visual impairment) and physical illnesses (e.g. frequent hospital stays) are excluded.
Where it's running
-
SAGE Old Age Homes
Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Kim-wan Daniel Young, PhD
- Email: dkwyoung@cityu.edu.hk
- Phone: +85234428954
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.