A pragmatic trial testing a tailored non pharmacologic therapies on nocturnal behavioral and psychological symptoms associated with dementia.

We compared the efficacy of tailored non pharmacological therapies (NPT) on specific nocturnal behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). This retrospective 1-year study included 84 older dependent patients institutionalized in 7 long-term care home. Dedicated assistants, who were taught by experts how to use NPT, were asked to record the occurrence of each BPSD episode, to choose a given NPT on the basis of their knowledge of the patient and the type of BPSD and to estimate its efficacy. Wandering was the most prevalent BPSD followed by agitation/aggression and screaming. The most used therapy was cognitive stimulation, followed by multisensory stimulation, reminiscence and Montessori-based. Regarding wandering, multisensory stimulation was found to be the most efficacious NPT significantly different from Montessori-based, cognitive stimulation or reminiscence. With regards to agitation/aggression or screaming, Montessori-based was found to be the most efficacious NPT significantly different from multisensory stimulation, reminiscence and cognitive stimulation.

Impact of Environmental Modifications to Enhance Day-Night Orientation on Behavior of Nursing Home Residents With Dementia.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether environmental rearrangements of the long-term care nursing home can affect disruptive behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in residents with dementia. DESIGN: Prospective 6-month study. SETTING: The study was conducted before (phase 1) and after (phase 2) environmental rearrangements [skylike ceiling tiles in part of the shared premises, progressive decrease of the illuminance at night together with soothing streaming music, reinforcement of the illuminance during the day, walls painted in light beige, oversized clocks in corridors, and night team clothes color (dark blue) different from that of the day team (sky blue)]. PARTICIPANTS: All of the patients (n = 19) of the protected unit were included in the study. They were aged 65 years or older and had an estimated life expectancy above 3 months. MEASURES: Number and duration of disruptive BPSD were systematically collected and analyzed over 24 hours or during late hours (6:00-12:00 pm) during each 3-month period. RESULTS: There was no significant change in the patients' dependency, risk of fall, cognitive or depression indexes, or treatment between phase 1 and 2. Agitation/aggression and screaming were observed mainly outside the late hours as opposed to wandering episodes that were noticed essentially within the late hours. The number of patients showing wandering was significantly lower over 24 hours during phase 2. The number of agitation/physical aggression, wandering, and screaming and the mean duration of wandering episodes were significantly (P = .039, .002, .025, and .026 respectively) decreased over 24 hours following environmental rearrangements. Similarly, a significant reduction in the number and mean duration of wandering was noticed during the late hours (P = .031 and .007, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that BPSD prevalence can be reduced following plain environmental rearrangements aimed at improving spatial and temporal orientation.

Difficulties encountered by general practitioners during acute behavioral disturbances of their dementia patients.

Alzheimer diseases and related disorders (ADRD) remain a major public health issue. The progression of the disease is dominated by behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) which are frequent and burdensome for caregivers. The aim of our survey was to study how the general practionner managed these behavioral disturbances (particularly agitation and aggressiveness) in community living patients with ADRD and support of their main caregivers. We based our study on a medical survey sent to all general practitioners (GP) practicing in four districts in Marseille near from a secure unit. Ninety five out of 260 answered to the survey and 57 had already been exposed to patients' behavioral decompensation. For these BPSD management, atypical neuroleptics and benzodiazepines were mostly prescribed, and according to the literature and guidelines. Half of the GP's recognized the weak effectiveness of this strategy. Almost all of them are interested in having a document summarizing the main strategy to be set up or a possibility to call a specialized mobile team with doctors and professionals caregivers. A few dedicated consultations were devoted to informal caregivers whereas GP were aware of negative effects of these decompensations on them. This study point out difficulties for GP to provide appropriate management for their patients with ADRD living at home and for their informal caregivers, particularly during acute behavioral disturbance, despite their practical knowledges.