The Use and Utility of Specific Nonpharmacological Interventions for Behavioral Symptoms in Dementia: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

OBJECTIVE This study compares different non-pharmacological interventions for persons with behavioral symptoms and dementia on frequency of use and perceived efficacy in terms of change in behavior and interest. METHODS Participants were 89 nursing home residents from 6 Maryland nursing homes with a mean age of 85.9 years (SD=8.6). Research assistants presented interventions tailored to the participants` needs and preferences in a pre-intervention trial phase and in an intervention phase. The impact of each intervention on behavioral symptoms and on the person’s interest was rated immediately after the intervention by a research assistant. RESULTS The most utilized interventions in both trial and treatment phases were the social intervention of one-on-one interaction, simulated social interventions such as a lifelike doll and respite video, the theme intervention of magazine, and the sensory stimulation intervention of music. In contrast, the least utilized interventions in both phases were sewing, fabric book, and flower arrangement. Interventions with the highest impact on behavioral symptoms included one-on one social interaction, hand massage, music, video, care, and folding towels. Other high impact interventions included walking, going outside, flower arranging, food or drink, sewing, group activity, book presentation ball toss, coloring or painting, walking, and family video. CONCLUSIONS The results provide initial directions for choosing specific interventions for persons with dementia and also demonstrate a methodology for increasing knowledge through ongoing monitoring of practice.

Impact of individualised music listening intervention on persons with dementia: A systematic review of randomised controlled trials

“…11,12 Music is one of the recommended and commonly used non-pharmacologic interventions for PWDs. [13][14][15][16] The relative preservation of music memory in dementia and evidence demonstrating that PWDs are still able to enjoy music even | 11 GAVIOLA et AL. in the late stage of cognitive impairment provide a rationale for the development of music-based therapies and interventions. [17][18][19] There are various applications of music including music therapy, music listening (individualised or music medicine) and general music-based interventions.…”

A Robotic Coach Architecture for Elder Care (ROCARE) Based on Multi-User Engagement Models

“…Nonpharmacologic interventions for these disorders such as physical activity, exercise, social interaction and engagement, cognitive stimulation, music, art therapy, reminiscence therapy, and caregiver intervention have had inconsistent results [7][8] and can be resource intensive. Additionally, considering nursing shortage and high staff turnover in long term care settings, there is an urgent need for efficacious strategies that are tailored to the individuals within resource strained environments.…”

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). To address these shortages, health care leaders recommend technology to facilitate and augment the delivery of efficient, safe care (Hussain, Rivers, Glover, & Fottler, 2012; Institute of Medicine, 2011).…”