Effectiveness of resocialization group treatment with the mildly and moderately confused institutionalized elderly

This experimental study compared the effectiveness of Resocialization and Attention Control small group treatments on the cognitive and social accessibility dimensions of a sample of mildly and moderately confused institutionalized elderly. Seventy-two nursing home residents (36 mildly and 36 moderately confused) from three nursing homes were randomly assigned to Resocialization, and Attention Control conditions. Subjects participated in a 6 week regime of treatment of one half hour of small group treatment twice a week. A 3x2x3 factorial design was utilized. The three factors included: type of treatment (Resocialization, Attention Control, Control); level of confusion (mild, moderate); and time periods (pretest, posttest 1, posttest 2). The categorical independent variable of confusion level was determined by the scores of the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ). Change scores on the SPMSQ were compared across confusion levels and treatment conditions using the Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA). Change scores from the total member verbals from the first group to the last group were compared using the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and t-Test for Dependent Measures. The main effect for treatment on the cognitive accessibility dimension as measured by the change scores of the SPMSQ was statistically significant (p<05). When treatment means were compared utilizing the Newman-Keuls statistics, only the Resocialization group differed significantly from the Control groups. the effect of confusion level was not significant. Treatment gains on the cognitive accessibility dimension were lost by 1 month follow-up (posttest 2). Both Resocialization and Attention Control groups improved significantly (p<.05) but did not differ significantly on the social accessibility dimension as measured by the change in member verbals. The results of this study contribute to the development of an empirical base upon which to evaluate nursing interventions for the prevention and treatment of confusion in the institutionalized elderly.