07/11/2022
Behavioral (delusions, hallucinations, agitation, depression, anxiety, euphoria, apathy, disinhibition, irritability, wandering, sleep disorders and appetite problems) and psychological symptoms of dementia can significantly reduce quality of life and make interactions with loved ones difficult. Irritability is among the most common and distressing behavioral changes noted among people with dementia and contributes to caregivers’ burden.
Researchers investigated non-pharmacological interventions for the reduction of irritability related to dementia in a randomized crossover clinical trial. Sixty individuals with dementia and irritability were randomly assigned to six different groups and each group received a series of non-pharmacological interventions—validation therapy and psychoeducational program; aromatherapy and massage therapy; and music therapy—in different sequences. All family caregivers participated in validation therapy and a psychoeducational program that lasted two weeks and included 24 2-hour seminars. The lavender aromatherapy massage was administered to the lower back and lower limbs for 20 minutes every morning before breakfast. Music preferred by each person with dementia was chosen and listened to for 45 minutes per session, once per day, every morning after breakfast. The most effective combination for reducing irritability was aromatherapy massage, followed by validation therapy/psychoeducational program, and music therapy.
Introduction: Dementia is a very common disorder that affects people over 65 years old all over the world. Apart from the cognitive decline, Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) are a crucial matter in dementia, because they affect up to 90% of the patients during the course of t...