Non Pharmacological Treatment in Alzheimer's Disease and Associated Disorders

The STIM-EHPAD study (for stimulation in nursing home) aims to evaluate the short and medium term effectiveness of staff education as a non-pharmacological intervention to manage apathy in older people with a diagnosis of dementia.

• Primary efficacy criteria: Apathy Inventory clinician score changes
• Secondary efficacy criteria: Apathy Inventory patient and caregiver version changes, Observation scale changes, frequency and severity of the other BPSD using the NPI, qualitative analysis of the nursing home staff behavioural changes

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients older than 65 years
• A diagnosis of dementia according to the ICD 10 criteria
• MMSE score ≤ 24
• Presenting the diagnostic criteria of apathy (cf page ??)
• An Apathy Inventory clinician total score >3 (with at least a score higher than 1 at one of the 3 dimensions; lack of initiative, lack of interest, emotional blunting)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients more than 65 years
• MMSE score > 24