Reality Orientation for Dementia

The effectiveness of classroom reality orientation (RO) in dementia was evaluated by conducting a systematic literature review. This yielded 43 studies, of which 6 were randomized controlled trials meeting the inclusion criteria (containing 125 subjects.) Results were subjected to meta-analysis. Effects on cognition and behavior were significant in favor of treatment (cognition standardized mean difference \([\mathrm{SMD}]\ \mathbf{=}\ \mathbf{{-}}0.59{;}\ 95\%\ \mathrm{confidence\ interval}\ [\mathrm{CI}]\ \mathbf{{-}}0.95{\mbox{--}}\mathbf{{-}}0.22{;}\ \mathrm{behavior\ SMD\ }\mathbf{=}\ \mathbf{{-}}0.64,\ 95\%\ \mathrm{CI\ }\mathbf{=}\ \mathbf{{-}}1.20{\mbox{--}}\mathbf{{-}}0.08).\) The evidence indicates that RO has benefits on both cognition and behavior for dementia sufferers. However, a continued program may be needed to sustain potential benefits. Future research should evaluate RO in well-designed multicenter trials.