The disruption of spatial orientation is considered the second most common cognitive symptom of dementia, affecting nearly all activities of daily living. Research in the field of environmental psychology has helped to highlight the influence of the environment on patients with Alzheimer's disease or related syndromes. With regard to spatial orientation, it has been shown that an environment can provide support for cognitive failures in subjects if that particular space is adapted. While numerous studies have focused on the architectural environment (hospital, housing facility), none have explored the ability of patients to orient themselves in a natural environment such as a garden. Yet, in recent years, such gardens, known as healing gardens, have emerged in housing and care facilities, providing genuine support for the care management of patients with Alzheimer-type dementia. Various works have been published outlining recommendations for their management. However, with regard to spatial orientation, none of the available research has explored the basic principles on which to rely on in order to organize the elements of outdoor spaces into itineraries that promote orientation, according to ZEISEL and TYSON (1999). In the absence of such data, these authors recommend relying on five elements, identified by Lynch in his landmark book "Image of the City" (1960), that people use to orient themselves and find their way. These are " paths ", " edges ", " districts ", " nodes " and " landmarks ". The hypothesis to verify is that patients with Alzheimer's disease do not rely on the same elements of the garden as non-Alzheimer's subjects in making orientation decisions and to mentally picture this environment.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
DIAGNOSTIC
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
77
University Hospital of Nancy , Saint Julien Hospital, France
Nancy, France
Analyze nature and frequency of elements of the " art, memory and life " garden used as landmarks by Alzheimer's disease patients
To describe and compare nature and frequency of elements involved in orientation decisions and the cognitive map, between a group of subjects with Alzheimer's disease and a group of healthy control subjects.
Time frame: Baseline = inclusion visit
Study the characteristics of the elements that contributed to decision-making regarding spatial orientation, the cognitive map, correlations between success in experimental, neuropsychological assessment in Alzheimer disease and healthy control subjects.
To identify, through analysis of interviews based on problem solving and interlocutory logic (TROGNON and BATT, 2007,2010, 2011), the characteristics of the elements of the " art, memory and life " garden that contributed to decision-making regarding spatial orientation and the development of a mental representation of the garden, in patients with Alzheimer's disease and healthy elderly subjects.
Time frame: Baseline = inclusion visit
Study the characteristics of the elements that contributed to decision-making regarding spatial orientation, the cognitive map, correlations between success in experimental, neuropsychological assessment in Alzheimer disease and healthy control subjects.
To study the correlation between the degree of success in experimental tasks (route learning, cognitive map) and standard and specific neuropsychological assessment (visuospatial skills) of individuals with Alzheimer's disease and healthy control subjects.
Time frame: Baseline = inclusion visit
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