Cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) is an evidence-based non-pharmacological intervention for cognitive decline, yet its applica- tion with individuals presenting with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) remains underexplored. This case study examined whether a brief, individually delivered CST protocol could produce measurable cognitive gains in a male adult in his late seventies with con- firmed MCI. Eight weekly one-hour sessions were conducted, incorporating memory games, jigsaw puzzles, therapeutic coloring, and music-based activities. Cognitive functioning was assessed before and after the intervention using the Montreal Cognitive As- sessment (MoCA). Pre-intervention score was 22 (MCI range: 18-25); post-intervention score was 25, representing a 3-point gain. Domain-level improvements were observed in visuospatial and executive function, delayed recall, and orientation. Findings suggest that a brief, activity-based individual CST protocol may produce meaningful cognitive gains in individuals with MCI. Replication with controlled designs and larger samples is needed.

Keywords: Cognitive Stimulation Therapy; Mild Cognitive Impairment; Montreal Cognitive Assessment; Non-Pharmacological Interven- tion; Cognitive Rehabilitation

1. Albert MS., et al. “The diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease: Recommendations from the National Institute on Aging-Alzheimer's Association workgroups”. Alzheimer's and Dementia3 (2011): 270-279.
2. American Psychological Association. “Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct (2002, amended effective June 1, 2010, and January 1, 2017)” (2017).
3. Bahar-Fuchs A., et al. “Cognitive training for people with mild to moderate dementia”. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 3 (2019): CD013069.
4. Bherer L. “Cognitive plasticity in older adults: Effects of cognitive training and physical exercise”. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 1 (2015): 1-6.
5. Domenicucci R., et al. “Comparing the benefits of Cognitive Stimulation Therapy with an adapted collaborative version on traditional outcomes, loneliness, and socioemotional skills: A pilot study”. Frontiers in Psychology 16 (2025): 1607552.
6. Gagnier JJ., et al. “The CARE guidelines: Consensus-based clinical case reporting guideline development”. Journal of Medical Case Reports 7 (2013): 223.
7. Gauthier S., et al. “Mild cognitive impairment”. The Lancet9518 (2006): 1262-1270.
8. Holden U and Woods RT. “Positive approaches to dementia care (3^rd edition)”. Churchill Livingstone (1995).
9. Livingston G., et al. “Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2020 report of the Lancet Commission”. The Lancet10248 (2020): 413-446.
10. Nasreddine ZS., et al. “The Montreal cognitive assessment, MoCA: A brief screening tool for mild cognitive impairment”. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society4 (2005): 695-699.
11. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. “Dementia: Assessment, management and support for people living with dementia and their carers (NICE Guideline NG97)” (2018).
12. Orgeta V., et al. “Psychological treatments for depression and anxiety in dementia and mild cognitive impairment: Systematic review and meta-analysis”. British Journal of Psychiatry4 (2015): 293-298.
13. Orrell M., et al. “The impact of individual Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (iCST) on cognition, quality of life, caregiver health, and family relationships in dementia: A randomised controlled trial”. PLOS Medicine3 (2017): e1002269.
14. Petersen RC., et al. “Mild cognitive impairment: Clinical characterization and outcome”. Archives of Neurology3 (1999): 303-308.
15. Petersen RC. “Mild cognitive impairment as a diagnostic entity”. Journal of Internal Medicine3 (2004): 183-194.
16. Petersen RC., et al. “Vitamin E and donepezil for the treatment of mild cognitive impairment”. New England Journal of Medicine23 (2005): 2379-2388.
17. Rossetti HC., et al. “Normative data for the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) in a population-based sample”. Neurology 13 (2011): 1272-1275.
18. Spector A. “The development and evaluation of an evidence-based psychological therapy programme for people with dementia [Doctoral dissertation, University College London]”. UCL Discovery (2001).

19. Spector A., et al. “Efficacy of an evidence-based cognitive stimulation therapy programme for people with dementia”. British Journal of Psychiatry3 (2003): 248-254.
20. Stern Y. “Cognitive reserve”. Neuropsychologia10 (2009): 2015-2028.
21. Stern Y., et al. “Whitepaper: Defining and investigating cognitive reserve, brain reserve, and brain maintenance”. Alzheimer's and Dementia9 (2020): 1305-1311.
22. Wong WWS. “Applying Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) on people with concurrent visual impairment and dementia: A preliminary study”. Brain Sciences 2 (2026): 168.
23. Woods B., et al. “Cognitive stimulation to improve cognitive functioning in people with dementia”. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2 (2012): CD005562.
24. Yates LA., et al. “The development of individual cognitive stimulation therapy (iCST) for dementia”. Clinical Interventions in Aging 10 (2015): 95-104.