Playing remotely in times of crisis: A program to overcome social isolation

Abstract

Objectives This study aims to examine the feasibility of an intergenerational remote intervention program designed to promote the wellbeing and social connection of vulnerable older adults, mainly people with aphasia and dementia during the COVID‐19 pandemic in the south of Brazil. Undergraduate students were guided to lead weekly sessions of clowning, storytelling, dancing, and cooking‐related activities for 3 months (from November/2020 to February/2021). Method The mixed‐method design of the study addresses the implementation and feasibility of the program. Data analysis considered both quantitative—number of individuals who accepted the invitation to participate, voluntary dropouts, attendance—and qualitative data—participative observation and thematic analysis of evaluative conversations. An inclusive group of 34 older adults with stroke‐induced cognitive impairments, dementia and individuals without any neurological conditions enrolled in the program based on social and racial equity principles. Feasibility and acceptability were addressed in terms of recruitment, implementation, remote evaluation, delivery of remote intervention, adherence, and attendance. Activities and participants' perceptions are described. Results The initial period of the program achieved 83.7% of adherence and sustainability for additional 3 months. Preliminary results suggest feasibility and acceptability, considering formal and informal support in digital inclusion. Participatory observations describe that the structure of sessions and activities were well received. The analysis of participants' perceptions detects the thematic saliency of feelings of social connection and a sense of having learned with the group. Conclusions Preliminary results of this study demonstrate the feasibility and acceptability of the program, pointing to its potential mental health benefits.

Tele-rehabilitation interventions for individuals living with dementia during the COVID-19 pandemic: Mixed-method systematic review

“…The study conducted in India was an extension of the work conducted in the United Kingdom (Lima et al, 2021). One was intervened in Brazil (Brandão et al, 2021).…”

“…There were different interventional study designs, including randomised control trial (Goodman-Casanova et al, 2020), pretest-posttest interventional design (Lai et al, 2020;Lai et al, 2022), nonrandomised interventional comparison design (Panerai et al, 2021), interventional qualitative study (Di Lorito et al, 2021), cohort study (Dura-Perez et al, 2022), feasibility study (Brandão et al, 2021), pilot study (Vellani et al, 2022) and other preexperimental designs (Arighi et al, 2021;Benaque et al, 2020;Capozzo et al, 2020;Gareri et al, 2022). Five were mixed-method studies (Brandão et al, 2021;Capozzo et al, 2020;Dura-Perez et al, 2022;Goodman-Casanova et al, 2020;Vellani et al, 2022). Lima et al (2021) focused on an intervention development study (i.e., a human-robotic) consisting of three phases: developing, designing and pilot testing.…”

“…One study recruited individuals living with dementia and healthy older adults in the designing phase, while one person with dementia participated in the testing phase (Lima et al, 2021). Brandão et al (2021) recruited older adults, including individuals living with aphasia and dementia. Only one study included people with a specific type of dementia, i.e., frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and most of the interviews were carried out with caregivers (n=28), while four were carried out with patients and caregivers together (Capozzo et al, 2020).…”

“…Only three studies showed a score of 4 (Brandão et al, 2021;Panerai et al, 2021) or 5 (Di Lorito et al, 2021) out of five in the MMAT, and others received 1 or 2 or 3 scores (Table 2). Moreover, only a few studies in the current review reported aim(s)/ research problem(s), and none reported a theoretical background.…”

“…Reported non-pharmacological interventions were cognitive interventions (Brandão et al, 2021;Goodman-Casanova et al, 2020;Panerai et al, 2021), sensory stimulation interventions (Brandão et al, 2021;Di Lorito et al, 2021;Goodman-Casanova et al, 2020), social interventions (Brandão et al, 2021), educational interventions (Lai et al, 2022;Vellani et al, 2022) and assistive technology interventions (Lima et al, 2021). Cognitive interventions included reality orientation therapy (ROT) and memory games (Arighi et al, 2021;Goodman-Casanova et al, 2020).…”