The purpose of the CMHSIG shall be to provide a forum and preferred channel for sharing information and resources, and promoting professional networking and advocacy efforts related to cognitive and mental health issues and behaviors in the area of geriatric physical therapy.

The CMHSIG will foster the creation and collaboration of relationships among individuals with a common interest in physical therapy for older adults with cognitive and mental health issues and behaviors in order to advance the knowledge and skills of geriatric physical therapy practice. There are many opportunities for participation, so please consider getting involved! To participate or learn more about current SIG activities and projects, contact the SIG chair.

SIG LEADERSHIP

  • CHAIR: Alexandra Alexander, PT, DPT
  • VICE CHAIR: Rashelle Marie Hoffman, PT, DPT, PhD
  • SECRETARY: Sarah Cooper, PT, DPT
  • RESEARCH LIAISON: Amie Rosenfeld, PT, DPT
  • STUDENT LIAISON: Riley Hogge

Welcome!

Dear New/existing CMHSIG Member(s):

Welcome to the APTA Geriatrics Cognitive and Mental Health Special Interest Group (CMHSIG)! The purpose of the CMHSIG is to provide a forum through which individuals having a common interest in older adults with dementia and other cognitive-based conditions and mental health issues can learn from each other.

I am extremely excited to take the lead over the CMHSIG and amp up the excitement about cognitive and mental health. I think following COVID-19, all of us, including our patients and caregivers need to focus on cognitive and mental health as it has taken a toll on everyone personally or professionally. I think with the changes in healthcare due to COVID-19 and changes in the way our society operates, cognitive and mental health needs to be put at the forefront and focused on especially with our geriatric population. You can think of it as a call to action on behalf of our patients!

My goal is to rejuvenate this SIG and place a fresh perspective on the direction this SIG is to go. I would like to recruit more members into the SIG, allow members place to share ideas amongst each other and encourage volunteerism.

If you are interested in volunteering in this SIG whether it be for a task force or helping with journal club, etc. please let me know. If you do decide to volunteer, you will be met with a great amount of support and opportunities for growth professionally.

I have an open-door policy. Please email me at alexpiersanti52209@gmail.com with any questions and/or concerns you have or any ideas for projects/activities. This is a SIG for everyone, so feedback is greatly appreciated!

I look forward to your participation in the CMHSIG!

Sincerely,

Alex Alexander, PT, DPT, GCS
CMH SIG Chair

CMH SIG News

Cognitive Exercises 2

May 16, 2023

Handout for clinicians, patients, and caregivers to improve and maintain cognition as they age.

Download the Cognitive Exercises handout.

COVID Fact Sheet

April 26, 2023

Download the COVID Fact Sheet here: COVID Fact Sheet

Publication from JGPT on Dementia Now Available

November 4, 2022

Tackling Dementia: A Systematic Review of Interventions Based on Physical Activity

Liu, Lu MSc1; Dong, Hua PhD2; Jin, Xiaoneng DC3; Brooke-Wavell, Katherine PhD44. Tackling Dementia: A Systematic Review of Interventions Based on Physical Activity. Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy: October/December 2022 – Volume 45 – Issue 4 – p E169-E180

Cognitive and Mental Health SIG Fact Sheet: Delirium

February 1, 2022

Download this resource Fact Sheet Here:  Delirium

CMH SIG Events

No Upcoming Events Found

CMH SIG Newsletters

CMH SIG MINUTES

Cognitive & Mental Health SIG Member Resources

Citation Links of Interest

Braz de Oliveira MP, Moreira Padovez RFC, Serrão PRMDS, de Noronha MA, Cezar NOC, Andrade LP. Effectiveness of physical exercise at improving functional capacity in older adults living with Alzheimer’s disease: a systematic review of randomized controlled trialsDisabil Rehabil. 2023;45(3):391-402. doi:10.1080/09638288.2022.2037744

Kouloutbani K, Venetsanou F, Karteroliotis KE, Politis A. Physical Exercise as a Nonpharmacological Intervention for the Treatment of Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Persons With Dementia: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled TrialsAlzheimer Dis Assoc Disord. 2023;37(1):73-81. doi:10.1097/WAD.0000000000000544

Li B, Tang H, He G, et al. Tai Chi enhances cognitive training effects on delaying cognitive decline in mild cognitive impairmentAlzheimers Dement. 2023;19(1):136-149. doi:10.1002/alz.12658

Cognitive and Mental Health Special Interest Group Toolkit

This toolkit has been developed by members of the Cognitive and Mental Health Special interest group (CMHSIG), a part of APTA Geriatrics, to assist clinicians with quick screening tools for individuals demonstrating cognitive deficits.

The toolkit provides an outline of the different cognitive domains, how deficits in each domain are manifested in the clients, and a guideline of which domain is most affected in certain diagnosis. The toolkit looks at screening tools to assist the clinician in determining the presence and severity of cognitive impairment and/or dementia and screens to determine which of the domains are affected. It also provides advice on adaptations to treatment and communication styles based on the affected domain.

This toolkit should be used as a starting point for clinicians to choose appropriate screenings for their clients.

Research Resources from CMH

Thank you for visiting the research portion of the CMH SIG website!

As the research liaisons, one of our goals is to meet the needs of the members by providing research that would be of interest to you. Please send suggestions regarding topics of interest to the SIG listserv and we will be happy to search for and hopefully find literature about that topic.

Here are some articles that we find interesting and helpful in our understanding of clinical practice in the area of Cognitive and Mental Health.