title: Relationships between aggressive behavior in cognitively impaired nursing home residents and use of restraints, psychoactive drugs, and secured units.
abstract: This study examined relationships between aggressive behavior in cognitively impaired nursing home residents and physical restraints, psychoactive drugs, and placement on a secured unit. Data were obtained from 116 residents who were consistently aggressive as measured by the Ryden Aggression Scale 2. Subjects averaged 9.5 aggressive behaviors per day. Forty-seven percent of subjects were restrained, and 62% were regularly receiving psychoactive drugs. Use of restraints, antipsychotics, and placement on a secured unit were all significantly related to increased physical aggression scores. Four variables accounted for 23% of the variance in physical aggression scores: location on a secured unit, not receiving an antidepressant, being restrained, and number of psychotropic and/or anxiolytic medications administered. Significantly lower physical aggression scores were noted for subjects receiving antidepressants.
authors.affiliation: University of Minnesota School of Nursing, USA.
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Ryden
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Feldt
authors.forename: H L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Brand
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Warne
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Weber
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gross
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D009735:Nursing Homes; D010356:Patient Isolation; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012149:Restraint, Physical / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D011619:Psychotropic Drugs