Thirteen studies (n=357) were included in the review: four RCTs), one non-RCT, three pre-test/post-test studies, four multiple baseline single-subject studies and one case study.
Eight studies (included two low-quality RCTs) reported mixed effects for use of memory books and caregiver training. One RCT reported greater improvements for some outcomes in the intervention group than the control (p<0.05), but no significant differences for other outcomes. Another RCT found no significant differences between groups. Other studies reported improvements in some outcomes, but data were insufficient to calculate effect sizes. Use of these types of interventions was recommended for use by clinicians and the evidence assessed as SORT rating B.
The results of two low-quality RCTs that evaluated family intervention visiting programmes indicated there were no clinically or statistically significant changes in verbal communication as a result of these interventions. Three participants in one study demonstrated fewer topic changes with indirect repair of communication. The reviewers assessed the strength of evidence for education and training interventions as SORT rating C.
Three studies reported mixed effects for education and training programs for the communication partner; the only RCT, which was of low quality, reported no significant differences between groups. The reviewers assessed the strength of evidence for education and training interventions as SORT rating C.
One high-quality RCT reported no significant differences for activity-based programming compared to no intervention control. One non-RCT reported greater effectiveness of breakfast-based activity group compared to control; the strength of evidence was rated as B under SORT and was not supported by the results from the RCT.