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Errorless-Based Techniques Can Improve Route Finding in Early Alzheimer's Disease: A Case Study

Research Center on Aging, Sherbrooke Geriatric University Institute, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada, veronique.provencher{at}usherbrooke.ca

Nathalie Bier, PhD

Research Center on Aging, Sherbrooke Geriatric University Institute, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada

Thérèse Audet, PhD

Research Center on Aging, Sherbrooke Geriatric University Institute, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada

Lise Gagnon, PhD

Research Center on Aging, Sherbrooke Geriatric University Institute, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada

Topographical disorientation is a common and early manifestation of dementia of Alzheimer type, which threatens independence in activities of daily living. Errorless-based techniques appear to be effective in helping patients with amnesia to learn routes, but little is known about their effectiveness in early dementia of Alzheimer type. A 77-year-old woman with dementia of Alzheimer type had difficulty in finding her way around her seniors residence, which reduced her social activities. This study used an ABA design (A is the baseline and B is the intervention) with multiple baselines across routes for going to the rosary (target), laundry, and game rooms (controls). The errorless-based technique intervention was applied to 2 of the 3 routes. Analyses showed significant improvement only for the routes learned with errorless-based techniques. Following the study, the participant increased her topographical knowledge of her surroundings. Route learning interventions based on errorless-based techniques appear to be a promising approach for improving the independence in early dementia of Alzheimer type.

Key Words: topographical disorientation rehabilitation • way finding • early dementia of Alzheimer type • route learning • errorless technique • activity of daily living

American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias®, Vol. 23, No. 1, 47-56 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/1533317507307228


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