title: Use of Tablet Devices in the Management of Agitation Among Inpatients with Dementia: An Open-Label Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the feasibility, safety, and utility of tablet devices as novel nonpharmacologic tools in managing older psychiatric inpatients with agitation and dementia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-six patients at a geriatric psychiatry inpatient unit were provided with tablets when agitated and used various apps on the tablet related to communication, games, music, web browser, and photography during their stay. Study staff documented the frequency, duration, and app usage history and rated the extent to which agitation improved after tablet use.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All participants, regardless of dementia severity, were able to use apps and were rated by staff to have clinical benefit. Dementia severity was negatively associated with app complexity. Age was negatively associated with frequency and duration of tablet use.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tablet use as a nonpharmacologic intervention for agitation in older adults, including those with severe dementia, appears to be feasible, safe, and of potential utility.
authors.affiliation: Division of Geriatric Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Boston, MA; Stein Institute for Research on Aging, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA. Electronic address: ivahia@partners.org.
authors.forename: Ipsit V
authors.initials: IV
authors.lastname: Vahia
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA.
authors.forename: Rujvi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kamat
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA.
authors.forename: Cheng
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vang
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Institute for Living, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT.
authors.forename: Carolina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Posada
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ross
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Oreck
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Louisville University, Louisville, KY.
authors.forename: Alok
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bhatt
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA; Stein Institute for Research on Aging, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA.
authors.forename: Colin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Depp
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA; Stein Institute for Research on Aging, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA.
authors.forename: Dilip V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Jeste
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA; Stein Institute for Research on Aging, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA.
authors.forename: Daniel D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Sewell
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D034201:Computers, Handheld / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003704:Dementia / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D063731:Mobile Applications / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000067250:Psychiatric Rehabilitation / Q000379:methods*; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: agitation; app; computer; dementia; insomnia; sensors; tablet; technology