What is Cognitive Stimulation?
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Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) is one of the most widely researched non-pharmacological interventions for people living with mild to moderate dementia.
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Unlike sudoku, crosswords or brain training, CST focuses on meaningful conversations, sharing of experiences, and supporting the skills needed for everyday life.
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Activities are designed to stimulate areas of thinking commonly affected by dementia, including communication, attention, memory, planning, problem-solving and reasoning.
CST Can Help Support:
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Research Shows:
The brain can still learn, adapt, and respond, even when dementia becomes a part of life.
Cognitive Stimulation Therapy supports thinking, communication, and quality of life.
How we engage with a person can influence confidence, connection and wellbeing.
Why I Developed
The Connect Method®
After more than 25 years working in neurological rehabilitation and dementia care, I saw the same problem repeatedly.
Families were given information, but very little help understanding what it meant or what they could do next.The Connect Method® was developed to bridge that gap by translating research into practical strategies that support understanding, confidence, communication and connection.That story is uniquely yours. Nobody can copy your clinical experience or your reason for creating the framework.
The brain can still learn, adapt, and respond, even when dementia is a part of life
What Happens During a CST Activity?
Activities are designed to encourage thinking, communication and participation in a relaxed and enjoyable way.
Examples may include:
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Current events discussions
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Word and language activities
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Problem-solving tasks
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Creative activities
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Reminiscence and life experiences
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Multi-sensory experiences
What Makes Our Approach Unique?
Families are at the heart of The Connect Method®
The Connect Method® was developed by neurological physiotherapist Amanda Burnby to help families translate research into practical support that is easy to understand and follow.
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By combining cognitive stimulation, neurorehabilitation principles and relationship-centred approaches, the framework supports cognition, communication, confidence and connection in everyday life.
Cognitive Stimulation
Neurorehabilitation Principles
Relationship-Centred Approaches
Research
Evidence-based, non-pharmacological intervention recommended within international dementia care guidelines and provided in 40+ countries.¹
Targets thinking skills commonly affected by dementia, including communication, attention, memory, planning, and problem solving.²
Based on neuroplasticity principles where meaningful cognitive, sensory, and social stimulation helps support healthy brain networks (Use it or lose it).³
Regular cognitive and social engagement may help strengthen neural connections and support cognitive reserve. ⁴
Environmental enrichment research shows regular stimulation supports brain networks involved in learning, attention and flexible thinking.⁵
Research has shown benefits across cognition, communication, confidence, mood, social interaction, and overall quality of life for people with dementia.⁶
Home-based CST research has also found benefits for carer confidence, wellbeing, and positive shared experiences at home.⁷
Reference List:
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Woods B, Aguirre E, Spector AE, Orrell M. Cognitive stimulation to improve cognitive functioning in people with dementia. Cochrane Review, 2012.
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Spector A, Thorgrimsen L, Woods B, et al. Evidence-based Cognitive Stimulation Therapy for people with dementia. British Journal of Psychiatry, 2003.
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Puderbaugh M, Emmady PD. Neuroplasticity. StatPearls Publishing, 2023.
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Stern Y. Cognitive reserve in ageing and Alzheimer’s disease. The Lancet Neurology, 2012.
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Baroncelli L, Braschi C, Spolidoro M, et al. Brain plasticity and enriched environments. Cell Death & Differentiation, 2010.
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Spector A, Orrell M, Woods B. Effects of Cognitive Stimulation Therapy on cognitive function in dementia. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 2010.
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Orgeta V, Qazi A, Spector A, Orrell M. Psychological treatments for depression and anxiety in dementia and mild cognitive impairment. Cochrane Review, 2015.