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Updated: May 31, 2026

Examining the Characteristics of Episodic Memory using Event-related Potentials in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease
Published on: August 30, 2011
A man with severe Alzheimer's disease stops wandering during a picture colouring activity
Giulio E Lancioni1, Viviana Perilli, Nirbhay N Singh
1University of Bari, Italy. g.lancioni@psico.uniba.it
Objective:
To assess the effects of a picture colouring activity on the wandering (and constructive engagement) of a man with severe Alzheimer's disease.
Method:
The colouring activity was compared with a music listening condition and a baseline/control condition. A choice phase involving the colouring activity and the music condition was also implemented.
Results:
Wandering was constant during the baseline condition, but it was reduced to low or virtually 0% levels during the music condition and picture colouring activity. Moreover, the patient regularly selected the colouring activity (which also promoted constructive engagement) during the choice phase.
Conclusion:
Simple leisure activities, such as picture colouring, might help patients with Alzheimer's disease reduce wandering.
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