Interventions Enhancing General Health in Elderly Patients with Cognitive Impairment

Abstract

Introduction:

Elderly patients with cognitive impairments are at a heightened risk of poor general health due to various barriers that impede their access to oral care and their ability to maintain proper physical hygiene. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions designed to enhance general health in this vulnerable population.

Methods:

A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library, using a combination of keywords related to general health, cognitive impairment, and elderly care. The review was limited to interventional studies and clinical trials published in English. Inclusion criteria were studies on populations aged 65 years and above with diagnosed cognitive impairments that assessed the outcomes of general health interventions. Studies were excluded if they were observational, reviews, or did not directly measure general health outcomes. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed on the included studies.

Results:

Ten studies met the inclusion criteria, encompassing a range of interventions from professional general care and the use of therapeutic general products to caregiver training programs. Sample sizes ranged from 30 to 200 participants. Notable findings include a significant reduction in plaque scores and gingival inflammation with a risk ratio of 0.75 (95% CI: 0.59-0.94), a 40% decrease in general caries incidence (95% CI: 20-60%), and a 30% improvement in physical hygiene practices (95% CI: 15-45%) following various interventions. Caregiver training programs were particularly effective, showing a 50% reduction in physical health-related complications (95% CI: 30-70%).

Conclusions:

The review highlights the effectiveness of multifaceted interventions in improving general health among elderly patients with cognitive impairments. These interventions, especially when involving caregiver support, significantly contribute to better physical hygiene, reduced incidence of general diseases, and overall improved quality of life for this demographic. Future research should focus on optimizing intervention designs and integrating caregiver involvement to enhance outcomes.