Prof. Dr. Sascha Köpke

Martin Dichter, Ph.D.

Georg Franken, M.Sc.

Prof. Dr. Elke Kalbe

Dr. Theresia Krieger

Dr. Ann-Kristin Folkerts

(Medical Psychology | Neuropsychology and Gender Studies & Center for Neuropsychological Diagnostics and Intervention (CeNDI), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne)

Meta-analyses demonstrate the positive effects of cognitive stimulation (CS)—through, for example, life story work, daily life training, or music therapy—on, among other things, overall cognitive performance, quality of life, and mental health in people with dementia. The S3 guideline on dementia therefore recommends CS for the treatment of cognitive impairments and symptoms of depression. To date CS CS activities in inpatient long-term care have been conducted in small groups, primarily for people with mild to moderate dementia. These activities are limited in both duration and scope and often fail to reach people with advanced dementia, limited mobility, or behavioral changes.

At the Institute for Medical Psychology | Neuropsychology and Gender Studies and the Institute for Nursing Science at the Medical Faculty and University Hospital Cologne of the University of Cologne, a training program was developed to integrate CS into everyday nursing and care situations and was tested for its practicability in a pilot study (KonSiSt24 – Cognitive Stimulation in Inpatient Long-Term Care. Development and Pilot Testing of a 24-Hour Approach).

The NeuroStim24/7 project is further developing the CS program in a participatory manner with staff and people with dementia in inpatient long-term care and is evaluating it as part of an efficacy study.