Using acupressure and Montessori-based activities to decrease agitation for residents with dementia: a cross-over trial.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the effectiveness of acupressure and Montessori-based activities in decreasing the agitated behaviors of residents with dementia.


METHODS
A double-blinded, randomized (two treatments and one control; three time periods) cross-over design was used.


METHODS
Six special care units for residents with dementia in long-term care facilities in Taiwan were the sites for the study.


METHODS
One hundred thirty-three institutionalized residents with dementia.


METHODS
Subjects were randomized into three treatment sequences: acupressure-presence-Montessori methods, Montessori methods-acupressure-presence and presence-Montessori methods-acupressure. All treatments were done once a day, 6 days per week, for a 4-week period.


METHODS
The Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory, Ease-of-Care, and the Apparent Affect Rating Scale.


RESULTS
After receiving the intervention, the acupressure and Montessori-based-activities groups saw a significant decrease in agitated behaviors, aggressive behaviors, and physically nonaggressive behaviors than the presence group. Additionally, the ease-of-care ratings for the acupressure and Montessori-based-activities groups were significantly better than for the presence group. In terms of apparent affect, positive affect in the Montessori-based-activities group was significantly better than in the presence group.


CONCLUSIONS
This study confirms that a blending of traditional Chinese medicine and a Western activities program would be useful in elderly care and that in-service training for formal caregivers in the use of these interventions would be beneficial for patients
Lin
Li-Chan
LC
Institute of Clinical and Community Health Nursing, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan. lichan@ym.edu.tw
Yang
Man-Hua
MH
Kao
Chieh-Chun
CC
Wu
Shiao-Chi
SC
Tang
Sai-Hung
SH
Lin
Jaung-Geng
JG
D019050:Acupressure; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003704:Dementia / Q000628:therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006126:Group Processes; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000628:therapy*