title: Application of behavior-based ergonomics therapies to improve quality of life and reduce medication usage for Alzheimer's/dementia residents.
abstract: Behavior-based ergonomics therapy (BBET) has been proposed in the past as a viable individualized non-pharmacological intervention to manage challenging behaviors and promote engagement among long-term care residents diagnosed with Alzheimer's/dementia. We evaluate the effect of BBET on quality of life and behavioral medication usage in an 18-bed dementia care unit at a not-for-profit continuing care retirement community in West Central Ohio. Comparing a target cohort during the 6-month pre-implementation period with the 6-month post-implementation period, our study indicates that BBET appears to have a positive impact on the resident's quality of life and also appears to correlate with behavioral medical reduction. For instance, the number of days with behavioral episodes decreased by 53%, the total Minimum Data Set (MDS) mood counts decreased by 70%, and the total MDS behavior counts decreased by 65%. From a medication usage standpoint, the number of pro re nata (PRN) Ativan doses decreased by 57%.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical, Industrial and Human Factors Engineering, Wright State University, Dayton, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Corinne
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mowrey
authors.forename: Pratik J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Parikh
authors.forename: Govind
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bharwani
authors.forename: Meena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bharwani
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D006804:Ergonomics / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000458:organization & administration; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives