The effects of family follow-up nursing on elderly cognitive impairment patients' Barthel index scores and mental statuses.

Objective: To explore the effects of family follow-up nursing on the Barthel Index scores and emotional statuses of elderly cognitive impairment patients.

Methods: A total of 90 dementia patients with cognitive impairments were randomized into group A, which underwent routine family nursing, or group B, which underwent family follow-up nursing for 6 months. The patients' cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Their disability levels were determined using the Barthel Index and the WHO rating scale (the WHODAS II scale), and the caregiver's burden levels were evaluated using the Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview (ZBI). The negative emotions were assessed using the Negative Mood Regulation Expectancies Scale (the NMRE-C). The two groups' quality of life and living abilities were assessed using the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF Scale (the WHOQOL BREF scale) and the Activities of Daily Living Scale (the ADL scale).

Results: After the intervention, the MMSE and MoCA scores increased in group B compared with the scores in group A (P<0.01). The Barthel Index scores increased, but the WHODAS II scores decreased in group B compared with the scores in group A (all P<0.001). The ZBI score was (34.30±4.19) in group A and (31.64±3.69) in group B (t=3.196, P=0.002). The NMRE-C score was (122.38±10.20) in group A and (144.39±11.30) in group B (t=9.699, P<0.001), and the quality of life and living abilities of the patients in group B improved significantly compared with the quality of life and living abilities of the patients in group A (all P<0.01).

Conclusion: Family follow-up nursing can alleviate cognitive impairment in elderly dementia patients reduce their negative emotions, increase their independent living abilities, and decrease the caregiver's burden. It should be widely applied in clinical settings.