Effect of Scene-Based Training on Cognitive Function in Patients With Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive cognitive decline, significantly affecting patients' independence and quality of life. Among the various cognitive deficits, orientation impairment-defined as the inability to accurately recognize time, place, and person-is a key clinical feature associated with increased risks of disorientation, wandering, and functional dependency.

Current pharmacological treatments offer limited benefits in reversing cognitive decline, highlighting the importance of non-pharmacological interventions. Scenario-based reenactment training is an emerging cognitive intervention strategy that reconstructs familiar real-life contexts to activate autobiographical memory, enhance environmental recognition, and improve cognitive function.

This study is designed as a single-center, prospective controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of scenario-based reenactment training in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. Eligible participants are assigned to either an intervention group or a usual care group. The intervention group receives structured scenario-based training, delivered three times per week for 3 months, using personalized visual materials such as photographs and videos derived from patients' real-life experiences. The control group receives standard medical and nursing care without structured cognitive intervention.

The primary outcome is global cognitive function assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Secondary outcomes include orientation function derived from validated cognitive assessment domains, depressive symptoms measured by the Geriatric Depression Scale-15 (GDS-15), anxiety levels assessed by the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory-20 (GAI-20), and health-related quality of life evaluated using the SF-36 (PCS and MCS components). Additional outcomes include patient satisfaction, caregiver involvement, intervention adherence, and adverse events.

Assessments are conducted at baseline and at predefined follow-up time points over a 6-month period. The study aims to determine whether scenario-based reenactment training can improve cognitive function, enhance orientation ability, and promote better emotional and functional outcomes. The findings are expected to support the development of a feasible, scalable, and patient-centered non-pharmacological intervention model for the management of Alzheimer's disease.

Inclusion criteria

• Age ≥ 60 years
• Diagnosis of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease according to DSM-5 criteria
• Ability to communicate and complete cognitive assessments
• Stable caregiver available to assist with intervention and follow-up
• Visual and auditory function adequate to participate in assessments (with or without correction)
• Willingness to participate and provide informed consent (by patient or legal guardian)

Exclusion criteria

• Severe psychiatric disorders (e.g., severe depression, schizophrenia)
• Severe cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, or other systemic diseases affecting participation
• History of neurological disorders other than Alzheimer's disease (e.g., Parkinson's disease, stroke with major deficits)
• Severe sensory impairment (vision or hearing) that interferes with intervention or assessment
• Inability to complete study procedures or comply with follow-up
• Participation in other interventional clinical trials within the past 3 months