Evaluation of the efficacy of randomized controlled trials of sensory stimulation interventions for sleeping disturbances in patients with dementia: a systematic review

Abstract

ObjectiveThe current review aims to evaluate the sensory stimulation interventions in terms of reducing sleeping disturbances in patients with dementia. The nonpharmacological interventions seem to be an efficient, inexpensive, and easy tool for family caregivers. Moreover, sleeping disorders increase caregivers’ distress and may lead to hospitalization.MethodsA systematic literature search was performed. Eleven randomized controlled trials have been found. Among these eleven trials, one referred to massage therapy and acupuncture, and the other ten studies referred to bright light therapy.ResultsThe results demonstrated that there are no relevant randomized controlled trials of music therapy, aromatherapy, and multisensory environment/Snoezelen referring to sleeping disturbances. Several studies have been conducted about the effect of the bright light therapy, and there is also another study that combines massage therapy and acupuncture therapy.ConclusionSensory stimulation interventions are inexpensive and practical for dementia caregivers; however, only bright light therapy seems to be useful to reduce sleeping problems in dementia. The other sensory stimulation interventions lack evidence, and there is a strong need for further research.

Sensory Stimulation for Nursing-Home Residents: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Its Effects on Sleep Quality and Rest-Activity Rhythm in Dementia

“…Nursing staff observed less behavioural restlessness during the night when residents with dementia received light therapy, acupuncture, massage therapy, and animal-assisted interventions. The effects were medium to large, as in previous reviews [26, 56-58, 74, 76, 77], and larger in RCTs with a low risk of bias than in those with a high risk of bias. No differences in effects were found between dementia patients with and dementia patients without a diagnosis of mood and/or sleep disorders.…”

Effects of Enriched Thematic Multi-Sensory Stimulation on BPSD in A Beach Room: A Pilot Study among Nursing-Home Residents with Dementia

“…Studies examining the effects of psychosocial interventions on disturbances in the sleep-wake cycles in people with dementia are also scarce [39]. The present study indicated that achieving positive outcomes in this regard did not require the application of enriched thematic multisensory stimulation, and it could rather be achieved by employing less complex interventions such as non-thematic interactions in a standard Grand Café setting.…”

A scoping review: Sensory interventions for older adults living with dementia

“…This demonstrates the heterogeneity of the literature and the challenge of declaring what works because they are primarily complex interventions implemented in a range of contexts (Pawson et al, 2005). Dimitriou and Tsolaki (T. D. Dimitriou & Tsolaki, 2017) conducted a similar systematic review of sensory interventions for people living with dementia but restricted their search to only RCTs and only those targeting sleep outcomes. They found that only light interventions had been proven to improve sleep outcomes for those living with dementia.…”