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Cognitive Stimulation Therapy

Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) is an evidence-based group treatment for people with mild-to-moderate dementia. It is the only non-drug therapy recommended to improve cognition, independence and wellbeing by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. We’ve run CST courses since 2009 – here’s what people say about CST:

“I enjoyed everything, it has been really good… The group has helped me remember more and it is helpful to get thinking.”

“I have enjoyed the discussions, singing, joking and playing. Noticed a few improvements in my memory, been a little bit more confident in conversations.”

Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) courses run for seven weeks on Friday afternoons, several times a year at The ReMind UK Centre. There are six to eight participants in a group.

CST is designed to improve memory by being challenging, yet enjoyable. There is a strong focus on having fun, with lots of discussions and sharing of opinions.

There are no tests involved and you cannot ‘pass’ or ‘fail’. We will ask you to complete a questionnaire at the end of the seven weeks, but only to help us monitor impact.

What does Cognitive Stimulation Therapy involve?

During the first CST session, the members of the group decide on a group name and theme song together. Each week will consist of a discussion about current news stories, then there are activities based around two themes:

Week 1  – Physical Games & Sounds
Week 2 – Childhood & Food
Week 3 – Current Affairs & Faces/ Scenes
Week 4 – Word Associations & Being Creative
Week 5 – Categorising Objects & Orientation
Week 6 – Using Money & Number Games
Week 7 – Word Games & Team Quiz

Benefits of Cognitive Stimulation Therapy

CST is a therapy that has been well researched with results showing a positive improvement for people with dementia. The programme was devised by psychologist Dr Aimee Spector and has been designed to improve confidence and wellbeing.

‘CST is found to be beneficial by providing a positive experience of being part of a group and also by providing a supportive and nonthreatening environment which in turn has led to improvements in mood, concentration and confidence’. (Spector et al., 2010)

CST is thought to have particular benefits for language and has been shown to significantly improve quality of life in people with dementia.

ReMind UK also offer a dementia support course to learn how to cope with dementia day-to-day. For loved ones, there are support sessions for carers of people with dementia. Our courses are only possible thanks to generous charitable donations to ReMind UK.

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