Positive Health Online

Abstract

DIMITRIOU and COLLEAGUES, 1 Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 44 Salaminos Street, Halandri, 15232, Athens, Greece.  tt.kirxof@gmail.com; 2 Department of Hygiene, Social Preventive Medicine and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University Campus, 54124, Thessaloniki, Makedonia, Greece.  e.verykouki@gmail.com ; 3 3rd Age Center IASIS, 2nd Neurology Dpt., University of Athens, 'Attikon' Hospital, 73 Krimeas Str., Glyfada, Athens, Greece.  jpapatriantafyllou@gmail.com ; 4 1st Department of Psychiatry, "Papageorgiou" General Hospital of Thessaloniki, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece.  konstaa@auth.gr ; 5 3rd Neurology Department, Aristotle University of Thessaloníki, Greece.  dimitrios.kazis@gmail.com ; 6 1st Department of Neurology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Makedonia, 3 Despere Street, Thessaloniki, Greece. tsolakim1@gmail.com conducted a cross-over randomised controlled trial with 60 participants (different types and stages of dementia) conducted in Greece.

Background

Agitation/aggressive behaviour is a common behavioural and psychological symptom in people with dementia (PwD), occurring with a frequency of between 13-50.4% according to recent studies, and the rate increases as the severity of cognitive decline increases. The burden on caregivers is considerable.

Methodology

This trial is a randomized controlled crossover trial conducted in Greece. The following measures were used: the Mini-Mental State Examination, Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination Revised, Geriatric Depression Scale, Functional Rating Scale for Symptoms in Dementia and Neuropsychiatric Inventory.

Results

The study showed that the most effective intervention is Music therapy.

Conclusion

According to the results the most effective nonpharmacological intervention for reducing agitation/aggressive behaviour in PwD was music therapy, followed by aromatherapy and massage, and finally physical exercise.

References

T-D Dimitriou 1, Eleni Verykouki 2, John Papatriantafyllou 3, A Konsta 4, D Kazis 5, M Tsolaki 6.  Non-pharmacological interventions for agitation/aggressive behaviour in patients with dementia: a randomized controlled crossover trial. Funct Neurol;33(3):143-147. Jul/Sept 2018.