[Psychotherapy with mild cognitive impairment and dementia]

Despite evidence for psychotherapy (PT) in elderly patients, it is not standard care in patients with mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Although neuropsychiatric symptoms are frequent in these patients, there is a lack of studies investigating the importance and efficiency of PT.

Can patients with mild cognitive impairment and dementia benefit from PT? If so, which modifications of therapeutic strategies are necessary for treating elderly patients with mild cognitive impairments?

Evaluation of empirical evidence on the efficiency of PT for patients with mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Presentation of interventions and modifications of therapeutic strategies.

Empirical evidence points towards beneficial effects of PT on depressive symptoms and quality of life. The treatment of anxiety disorders has so far been broadly neglected. Modifications of therapeutic strategies include simplification of content, repetitions, implementation of external memory aids and inclusion of caregivers into therapeutic process.

Psychotherapy can be effective in patients with mild cognitive impairment and early stages of dementia. When practicing PT, an adaptation of therapeutic strategies is necessary. Nevertheless, there is a need for further studies investigating the benefits and implementation of PT into standard care, especially as pharmacological interventions are very limited in their efficiency and tolerability in this patient population.