Abstract

MONSALVE ROBAYO, Angélica María  and  ROZO REYES, Claudia Marcela. Sensory Integration and Dementia of the Alzheimer's Type: Principles and Methods for Rehabilitation. rev.colomb.psiquiatr. [online]. 2009, vol.38, n.4, pp.717-738. ISSN 0034-7450.

Introduction: There is a clear functional impairment in people with dementia of the Alzheimer's type that affects their daily living, their families, and the environment around him or her. Symptomatology is evident in the cognitive, motor and psychosocial areas and in the way that people with dementia process stimulus. Objective: To review the principles and methods of sensory integration and its influence on the central nervous system, to be applied to older people with dementia of the Alzheimer's type. Method: Explanation of the theory and implementation of sensory integration through the five stages of the approach. Results: The first stage aims to alert the sensory systems, focusing attention through an olfactory stimulus following with the second stage in which the stimulation of the proprioceptive system and touch become relevant. The third stage of sensory integration promotes the conservation of visuospatial abilities in relation to cognition, which is worked on in the fourth stage. Finally, taste stimulus and relaxation provided in the fifth stage leads to the establishment of interpersonal relationships and the acquisition of adaptive behavior. Conclusions: The use and effectiveness of the approach of sensory integration in people with dementia of the Alzheimer's type requires further investigation through experimental studies. The approach requires a number of elements associated with the activities, as well as strictness, self-organization, adaptation to the environment, creativity, and motivated participation of the subjects and the therapist.

Keywords : Alzheimer's disease; dementia; rehabilitation; older adult.

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