Randomised controlled pilot study in Japan comparing a home visit program using a Functioning Improvement Tool with a home visit with conversation alone.

AIM This study aimed to determine the effect of a home visit program using a Functioning Improvement Tool (FIT) compared with a home visit using conversation alone. METHODS Twenty-eight participants (mean age, 78.6 ± 7.5 years) were randomly assigned to an intervention (n = 13) or control (n = 15) group for 3 months. The intervention group received a 60-minute FIT home visit program; the control group received a 30-minute home visit using common conversational techniques. Measures were Mini-Mental State Examination, Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB) and Geriatric Depression Scale. RESULTS The FAB score was significantly improved in the intervention group compared with the control group (2.5 vs -0.5, P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS Our FIT home visit program improved cognitive function. Further studies with larger samples and longer follow-up periods are needed to assess the long-term effectiveness of a FIT home visit program on cognition.