Non-pharmacological interventions for agitation in dementia: systematic review of randomised controlled trials

• Published in: British journal of psychiatry Vol. 205; no. 6; pp. 436 - 442
• Main Authors: Livingston, Gill, Kelly, Lynsey, Lewis-Holmes, Elanor, Baio, Gianluca, Morris, Stephen, Patel, Nishma, Omar, Rumana Z., Katona, Cornelius, Cooper, Claudia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01.12.2014; Maney
• Subjects: Aging; Agitation; Alzheimer's disease; Aromatherapy; Behavior; Behavioral Symptoms - etiology; Behavioral Symptoms - psychology; Behavioral Symptoms - therapy; Biological and medical sciences; Caregivers; Clinical Competence; Clinical significance; Clinical trials; Communication skills training; Dementia; Dementia - complications; Dementia - psychology; Dementia disorders; Drugs; Efficacy; Evidence-Based Practice; Humans; Institution therapy. Inpatient treatment; Intervention; Light therapy; Mapping; Medical sciences; Music therapy; Music Therapy - methods; Nursing homes; Patient-centered care; Patient-Centered Care - methods; Patient-Centered Care - organization & administration; Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychomotor Agitation - etiology; Psychomotor Agitation - psychology; Psychomotor Agitation - therapy; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Psychotropic drugs; Quality of life; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Residential care; Review articles; Skill development; Socioeconomic status; Socioenvironmental Therapy - methods; Systematic review; Treatments; United Kingdom; Europe; United Kingdom > UK; Social environment; Human; Musicotherapy; Nervous system diseases; Agitation; Group treatment; Indication; Health staff; Mental health; Specialized institution; Activity; Controlled therapeutic trial; Review; Cerebral disorder; Treatment; Central nervous system disease; Degenerative disease; Application method; Massage; Person-centered approach; Occupational training; Public health; Communication; Dementia

Agitation in dementia is common, persistent and distressing and can lead to care breakdown. Medication is often ineffective and harmful. To systematically review randomised controlled trial evidence regarding non-pharmacological interventions. Method We reviewed 33 studies fitting predetermined crit...