Effects of reality orientation therapy on elderly patients in the community

Abstract Twenty-three institutionalized subjects, confused and disoriented as to time, space and persons, were divided into two groups: the study group and the control group. The study group then participated in a 3-month period of formal Realithy Orientation Therapy (ROT). At the end of the 3 months of therapy significant differences emerged in the scores of MMSE, OSGP and GDS obtained by the two groups. Moreover, significant positive differences were observed only in the study group, comparing the tests' results before and after therapy. Even the comparison of the results obtained at the end of the sessions and 3 months after the interruption of the therapy revealed a difference in the trends that emerged for the two groups.