BENEFITS OF THE PSYCHOMOTOR INTERVENTION IN THE ELDERLY WITH LOW AND MODERATE COGNITIVE DETERIORATION

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify the benefits associated with the psychomotor intervention from a therapeutic approach, with the elderly who suffer from low and moderate cognitive deterioration, that attending a day-care centre for older adults.
It is a quasi-experimental study with pre and post intervention measurement through a single group study for five months. An individual, pre-intervention evaluation was done using a series of tests and questionnaires to 9 people with cognitive deterioration who attend to that center. The instruments were: Pre-Intervention Questionnaire, Minimental State Examination, SF36 Questionnaire, Tinetti’s Balance and Motion Scale, Clock Test, a selection of subtests of Da Fonseca’s Psychomotor Battery (Laterality, Notion of Body, Global and Fine Praxis). An observation sheet of psychomotor parameters for adults was also used. Based on this, a 24-session psychomotor intervention project was designed and applied. Afterwards, the population was reevaluated, applying the same battery of tests and a satisfaction questionnaire, suppressing the pre-intervention questionnaire. The comparison of both evaluations shows improvements in
most patients in: the tonic-postural organization and the amplitude of movement, attention and memory capacities, and the possibility revaluation of the body as a place for wellbeing sensations.
In conclusion the psychomotor intervention can have a positive effect on the slowing of the psychomotor retrogenesis process, improving and/or maintaining the functional capacities of this population in a motor, cognitive and social level, promoting an adaptive style of functioning and a positive assessment of body.