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The Cooperation Protocol established between the Dr. José Lourenço Júnior Foundation, the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences of the University of Coimbra and the Research Centre for Neuropsychology and Cognitive-Behavioural Intervention, is taking concrete and very promising steps!

This partnership, signed with one of the most prestigious academic institutions in the country — recognised for the excellence of its teaching and research, as well as for the relational and humanistic dimension it cultivates — represents an exceptional opportunity for the Foundation to build bridges of scientific collaboration in the areas of Psychology, Educational Sciences and Social Work.

In this perspective, a scientific poster was presented at the Meeting of the Portuguese Society of Neuropsychology, in Coimbra on March 21, 2025, illustrating the first results of interventions focused on an innovative approach of multisensory stimulation aimed at people with moderate to severe dementia, which took place in the Sensory Garden and in the Snoezelen Multisensory Room, at the Otília Lourenço Home.

Through a case study, — resident “D. M.”, diagnosed with moderate to severe Alzheimer's — revealed significant gains in emotional well-being, reduced anxiety and connection with the natural environment. The intervention follows the Snoezelen approach and uses controlled sensory stimuli (visual, auditory, olfactory, tactile, vestibular and proprioceptive), favoring cognitive activation, reducing agitation and promoting positive emotions.

These results support the potential of Sensory Gardens and the Snoezelen approach as effective, non-pharmacological therapeutic strategies in the context of care for institutionalized people with dementia, even in advanced stages of the disease.
This case study provides evidence that people with moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease can benefit from these approaches. According to Dr. Rita Silva, psychologist and responsible for implementing the multisensory approach at the Otilia Lourenço nursing home, “This is particularly relevant, given that these individuals often present more pronounced cognitive and behavioral deficits. The results suggest that, even in advanced stages of the disease, sensory stimulation can trigger positive responses and improve quality of life.”

The study will continue throughout this year, with larger samples in order to validate this approach. This is another step in the commitment to innovative care, based on scientific evidence and focused on quality of life.
The Foundation thus reinforces its commitment to social innovation and care practices based on scientific evidence.