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A pilot study investigating the effectiveness, appreciation, and feasibility of a cognitive stimulation program in dementia patients: online versus face-to-face
Simona Cintoli, Giulia Spadoni, Valeria Giuliani, Valentina Nicoletti, Eleonora Del Prete, Daniela Frosini, Roberto Ceravolo, Gloria Tognoni. Frontiers in Psychology, 2025-04-07
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
No significant differences were found between the in-person and remote groups in terms of age, education, or gender. The cognitive profiles and ability to perform daily activities remained stable throughout the intervention. Both patients and caregivers reported high levels of satisfaction, with positive feedback on the utility, enjoyment, and engagement in the sessions. The program was also found to be effective in offering support and engaging caregivers, demonstrating that the protocol was both feasible and well-received. These findings suggest that remote cognitive stimulation interventions are a viable and beneficial alternative to in-person therapy. The high levels of satisfaction and stable cognitive outcomes are in line with previous studies. Future research with a larger sample size and long-term follow-up is needed to further assess the lasting impact on cognitive function, quality of life, and caregiver burden. The integration of remote protocols into healthcare systems could enhance access to therapy for a broader patient population.
Key findings
- No significant differences were found between the in-person and remote groups in terms of age, education, or gender.
- The cognitive profiles and ability to perform daily activities remained stable throughout the intervention.
- Both patients and caregivers reported high levels of satisfaction, with positive feedback on the utility, enjoyment, and engagement in the sessions.
- The program was also found to be effective in offering support and engaging caregivers, demonstrating that the protocol was both feasible and well-received.
- These findings suggest that remote cognitive stimulation interventions are a viable and beneficial alternative to in-person therapy.
Why it matters
In this small pilot study, a cognitive stimulation program delivered online or in person kept cognitive profiles and daily activities stable, and patients and caregivers reported high satisfaction. The authors note that larger studies with long-term follow-up are needed to assess lasting effects on cognition, quality of life, and caregiver burden.
Study details
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 38/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, sample size, effect reported, studied in people and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Frontiers in Psychology) |
| Journal's citation record | 3 / 4 | Frontiers in Psychology: journal h-index 313 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 4 / 5 | 2025 — within 3 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 1 / 7 | Cited 4 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 1 / 5 | 1.3 citations a year over 3 year(s) since 2025 |
| Impact for its field and year | 2 / 6 | Cited 2.5× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 0 / 6 | No other study in this library cites it |
| Still being cited | 1 / 4 | Cited 4 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 2 / 4 | Last-listed author Gloria Tognoni: h-index 31 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 1 / 3 | University of Pisa: institution h-index 907 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 1 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 2 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 40260005) |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 38 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
- DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1561157
- PubMed: 40260005
- Original source →
- Free full text: Frontiers in Psychology →
Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. The record names 8 authors; APA and Vancouver show the first six, BibTeX and the downloads carry all of them. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Cintoli, S., Spadoni, G., Giuliani, V., Nicoletti, V., Del Prete, E., Frosini, D., et al. (2025). A pilot study investigating the effectiveness, appreciation, and feasibility of a cognitive stimulation program in dementia patients: online versus face-to-face. Frontiers in Psychology. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1561157
Vancouver
Cintoli S, Spadoni G, Giuliani V, Nicoletti V, Del Prete E, Frosini D, et al. A pilot study investigating the effectiveness, appreciation, and feasibility of a cognitive stimulation program in dementia patients: online versus face-to-face. Frontiers in Psychology. 2025. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1561157. PMID: 40260005.
BibTeX
@article{cintoli2025-40260005,
author = {Cintoli, Simona and Spadoni, Giulia and Giuliani, Valeria and Nicoletti, Valentina and Del Prete, Eleonora and Frosini, Daniela and Ceravolo, Roberto and Tognoni, Gloria},
title = {{A pilot study investigating the effectiveness, appreciation, and feasibility of a cognitive stimulation program in dementia patients: online versus face-to-face}},
journal = {Frontiers in Psychology},
year = {2025},
doi = {10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1561157},
pmid = {40260005},
url = {https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1561157}
}
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