ABSTRACT
While psychoactive drugs are the usual treatment choice for problem behaviors in individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD), non-drug treatments are increasingly sought. This article describes applied behavior analysis, the predominant nondrug treatment approach for behavior problems in people with cognitive impairments associated with developmental disabilities. Applied behavior analysis identifies the causes of an individual's problem behavior through "functional assessment" and then employs treatment methods that address those causes. Functional assessment seeks information on environmental and internal factors influencing a problem behavior, emphasizing the function or purpose the problem behavior serves for the individual. Applied behavior analysis merits further investigation as a treatment approach to behavior problems in AD.
Subject(s)
Alzheimer Disease/complications , Behavior Therapy/methods , Mental Disorders/therapy , Humans , Mental Disorders/etiologyABSTRACT
We evaluated a multicomponent intervention for agitated behavior in a man with probable Alzheimer's disease. Hypotheses about variables controlling his agitated behavior guided intervention design. Based on staff interviews, direct observations, and brief experimental probes, intervention components were chosen to increase rate of reinforcement and decrease aversive aspects of his job. Intervention reduced agitated behavior without disrupting his work rate.
