Quantitative systematic review of the effects of non‐pharmacological interventions on reducing apathy in persons with dementia

Abstract

Study results demonstrate promise for the use of non-pharmacological interventions, particularly music-based interventions, in reducing apathy levels in individuals with dementia. Intervening to reduce apathy may have a positive clinical impact and healthcare providers should be encouraged to incorporate positive sources of interest and intellectual stimulation into care. However, future research is needed to examine the aetiologic mechanism and predictors of apathy, to improve evidence-based interventions and specificity and to optimize dosage and timing of non-pharmacological interventions across the disease trajectory.

The Effectiveness of Non‐Pharmacological Interventions on Apathy in Patients With Dementia: A Systematic Review of Systematic Reviews

“…The chief tools for evaluating methodological quality of primary studies were derived from Cochrane, Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (CEBM), and the Centre for Evidence-Based Physiotherapy (PEDro). One review (Goris et al, 2016) did not report sample size, so we found it by reading original studies. Table S1 elaborates the characteristics of the included reviews.…”

“…A meta-analysis by Tsoi et al (2018) concluded that receptive music was more efficacious compared with interactive music. Goris et al (2016) mentioned music therapy was the strongest non-pharmacological method to reduce apathy. Moreover, for those with severe dementia, Lane-Brown and Tate (2009) implied music therapy was the most effective.…”

“…Two systematic reviews of systematic reviews (Abraha et al, 2017;Vilela, Pacheco, Latorraca, Pachito, & Riera, 2017) reveal that non-pharmacological interventions have positive effects on reducing BPSD, improving cognitive function, activities of daily living, and social interaction ability of patients with dementia. For apathy, there are several systematic reviews and meta-analyses (Brodaty & Burns, 2012;Fukushima et al, 2016;Goris, Ansel, & Schutte, 2016;Lane-Brown & Tate, 2009;Theleritis, Siarkos, Katirtzoglou, & Politis, 2016;Theleritis, Siarkos, Politis, Katirtzoglou, & Politis, 2018;Tsoi et al, 2018;Verkaik, Weert, & Francke, 2005;Zafra-Tanaka, Pacheco-Barrios, Tellez, & Taype-Rondan, 2019) of non-pharmacological interventions in patients with dementia. Nevertheless, these reviews involve diversified non-pharmacological interventions and lack evaluation of methodological quality and classification of evidence quality.…”

Socially Assistive Robots: Measuring Older Adults' Perceptions

“…Non-pharmacological interventions exist that address older adults’ cognitive and physical function as well as their social conditions, and have had inconsistent results; these interventions include physical activity, exercise, social interaction and engagement, cognitive stimulation, music, art therapy, reminiscence therapy, and caregiver interventions (Cohen-Mansfield, Marx, Dakheel-Ali, & Thein, 2015; Goris, Ansel, & Schutte, 2016). Multimodal strategies tailored to the individual appear most successful, but can be resource intensive (Cohen-Mansfield et al, 2015), which is problematic because of health care manpower shortages in a variety of settings (American Health Care Association, 2012; Harrington, Schnelle, McGregor, & Simmons, 2016).…”

Using Virtual Reality to Improve Apathy in Residential Aged Care: Mixed Methods Study

“…Non-pharmacological approaches have demonstrated evidence in improving levels of apathy, including; music based; art; cognitive stimulation; and reminiscence therapy (Goris, Ansel, & Schutte, 2016). Reminiscence therapy is commonly used in residential aged care and involves the discussion of a person's past experiences involving the use of items including photographs, magazines, or music (Westphal, Callega, LoGiudice, & Lautenschlager, 2017).…”