Sonas: a pilot study investigating the effectiveness of an intervention for people with moderate to severe dementia.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of Sonas, a group intervention involving multisensory stimulation, reminiscence, and light physical activity.


METHODS
A total of 39 participants with moderate to severe dementia were randomized to receive either 14 sessions of Sonas or treatment as usual. Measures such as quality of life (QoL), communication, depression, anxiety, and behavioral disturbance were administered at baseline and follow-up.


RESULTS
No statistically significant results were found. However, participant attendance to sessions was good (mean = 12.4 sessions of 14 offered).


CONCLUSIONS
Sonas sessions did not lead to improvements in QoL and behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia.
Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, Torrington, London charlotte_hutson@hotmail.com.
Charlotte
C
Hutson
Division of Psychiatry, Faculty of Brain Sciences, Unit of Mental Health Sciences, University College London, Torrington, London.
Martin
M
Orrell
Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, Torrington, London.
Ottilie
O
Dugmore
Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, Torrington, London.
Aimee
A
Spector
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D003142:Communication; D003704:Dementia / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008405:Massage; D009043:Motor Activity; D009147:Music Therapy; D009735:Nursing Homes; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
Sonas; dementia; intervention; multisensory; quality of life; stimulation