Effects of a Motor and Multisensory-Based Approach on Residents with Moderate-to-Severe Dementia

Abstract

Involving institutionalized people with dementia in their routines may be challenging, particularly in advanced stages of the disease. Motor and multisensory stimulation may help to maintain or improve residents' remaining abilities such as communication and self-care. This study examines the effects of a motor and multisensory-based approach on the behavior of 6 residents with moderate-to-severe dementia. A single-group, pre- and post test design was conducted. Motor and multisensory stimulation strategies were implemented in residents' morning care routines by staff, after the provision of training and assistance. Twelve video recordings of morning care (6 pre- and 6 post interventions) were coded for the type of residents' behavior. Results showed a tendency toward improvements in residents' levels of caregiver-direct gaze, laughing and engagement, and a reduction of closed eyes, during morning care. The introduction of a motor and multisensory-based approach in care routines may improve residents' engagement and attention to the environment.

Communication training interventions for family and professional carers of people living with dementia: a systematic review of effectiveness, acceptability and conceptual basis

“…Four out of the five that reported communication outcomes found post-training improvements in communication and interaction (Alnes et al, 2011;Galvin et al, 2010;Robinson et al, 2010;Weitzel et al, 2011). One small study found a nonsignificant trend towards improved communication (Cruz et al, 2011). All four studies that reported knowledge outcomes found improvements post-training (Beer et al, 2012;Bray et al, 2015;Galvin et al, 2010;Velzke, 2014).…”

“…Four studies were clearly protocol driven and provided enough information to conclude a low risk of reporting bias (Chenoweth et al, 2014;CristanchoLacroix et al, 2015;Livingston et al, 2013;Orgeta et al, 2015). Ten studies reported small sample sizes (Alnes, Kirkevold, & Skovdahl, 2011;Beer, Hutchinson, & Skala-Cordes, 2012;Cristancho-Lacroix et al, 2015;Cruz, Marques, Barbosa, Figueiredo, & Sousa, 2011;Gentry, 2011;Haberstroh et al, 2011;Liddle et al, 2012;Prick et al, 2015;Raglio et al, 2016;van der Ploeg et al, 2013). Eight studies used unstandardised measures (Alnes et al, 2011;Bray et al, 2015;Broughton et al, 2011;Galvin et al, 2010;Judge, Yarry, Orsulic-Jeras, & Piercy, 2010;Robinson, Bamford, Briel, Spencer, & Whitty, 2010;Velzke, 2014;Weitzel et al, 2011); therefore it is not clear if these are reliable and valid and it is difficult to compare outcomes between studies.…”

Making Sense(s) in Dementia

“…It has been recommended that, in the middle to late stages of the disease, the activities should focus on fine-and gross-motor and sensory activities 2,7,10 . Consistent with this recommendation, there are currently two main approaches with promising results in people with moderate to severe dementia: Multisensory Stimulation and Motor Stimulation [11][12][13][14] .…”

“…By stimulating the senses in a format that can be understood by the individual, it is expected that people with dementia will respond appropriately to their surroundings and communicate with others 18 , for example, by giving a smile or thanking to the caregiver 15 . MSS has been found to reduce the frequency of behavior problems and apathy 14,16 , improve communication 7,19 and functional performance 20 and increase residents' attentiveness 12,21 . Motor stimulation (MS) aims to maintain or improve, as long as possible, the remaining physical abilities of people with dementia 12,22 .…”

“…MSS has been found to reduce the frequency of behavior problems and apathy 14,16 , improve communication 7,19 and functional performance 20 and increase residents' attentiveness 12,21 . Motor stimulation (MS) aims to maintain or improve, as long as possible, the remaining physical abilities of people with dementia 12,22 . It is related to movement and exercise and, when tailored to each individual's abilities, MS can provide people with dementia with an activity in which they can succeed 15 .…”