Non-Pharmacological Interventions for Wandering/Aberrant Motor Behaviour in Patients with Dementia

Abstract

Background: Aberrant motor behaviour or wandering refers to aimless movement without a specific purpose. Wandering is common in patients with dementia and leads to early institutionalization and caregivers’ burden. Non-pharmacological interventions should be also considered as a first-line solution for the wandering because current pharmacological treatment has serious side-effects. Methods: A cross-over randomised controlled trial (RCT) with 60 participants of all stages and different types of dementia was conducted in Greece. The sample was randomly assigned in 6 different groups of 10 participants each. Every intervention lasted for 5 days, and there were 2 days as a wash-out period. There was no drop-out rate. The measurements used were the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination Revised (ACE-R), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Functional Rating Scale for Symptoms in Dementia (FRSSD), and Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). The interventions that were evaluated were reminiscence therapy (RT), music therapy (MT), and physical exercise (PE). Results: NPI scores were reduced in the group receiving PE (p = 0.006). When MT (p = 0.018) follows PE, wandering symptoms are reduced further. RT should follow MT in order to reduce wandering more (p = 0.034). The same combination was effective for the caregivers’ burden as well; PE (p = 0.004), MT (p = 0.036), RT (p = 0.039). Conclusions: An effective combination that can reduce wandering symptoms in all stages and types of dementia was found: The best order was PH-MT-RT. The same combination in the same order reduced caregivers’ burden.

Non-pharmacological Intervention for Wandering Behavior in Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

“…을 조정하는 프로그램인 신경인지적 요인에 대한 중재[31], 걷 기 프로그램과 같은 운동요법[30]은 통계적으로 유의한 결과 를 보고하였다. 그러나, 정신 심리적 요인을 감소시키기 위한 신체 접촉 또는 아로마 요법은 3편에서는 유의한 결과를 보고 하였으나[34][35][36], 1편에서는 통계적으로 유의하지 않았으며[33], 익숙한 환경과 과거회상요법 또한 통계적으로 유의한 효 과를 보고하지 않았다[32].Figure 2.…”