A Randomized Clinical Trial of Theory-Based Activities for the Behavioral Symptoms of Dementia in Nursing Home Residents

Abstract Background and Objectives Staff-resident communication is a critical part of nursing home (NH) care. Reducing elderspeak and increasing person-centered communication has been shown to reduce behavioral symptoms experienced by persons living with dementia. An online version of a successful classroom-based communication-training program that reduced staff elderspeak and resident behavioral symptoms was evaluated. The objective of this study was to establish feasibility and determine the preliminary effects of the online program in preparation for a national pragmatic clinical trial. Research Design and Methods Seven NHs were randomized to immediate intervention or wait-list control conditions. The NHs were provided with the web-based training program that staff individually accessed. Primary outcomes were knowledge scores and communication ratings of a video-recorded interaction, using pre- to post-training comparisons. Results Knowledge increased from a mean pretest score of 61.9% (SD=20.0) to a mean posttest score of 84.6% (SD=13.5) for the combined group. Knowledge significantly improved between Time 1 and Time 2 for the immediate intervention participants (p<.001), but not for the wait-list control participants (p=.091), and this difference was statistically significant (p<.001). Ability to recognize ineffective, inappropriate, non-person-centered, and elderspeak communication improved after training (p<.001). The magnitude of improvement in communication recognition was comparable to that of the original classroom format. Discussion and Implications The adapted communication intervention was feasible and improved knowledge and communication. Online instruction can improve access to quality education and is an effective means to improve dementia care by overcoming barriers to in-person training.

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Increased fluid intake does not augment capacity to lay down new collagen in nursing home residents at risk for pressure ulcers: A randomized, controlled clinical trial

Wound Repair and Regeneration ◽

10.1111/j.1524-475x.2009.00539.x ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 17 (6) ◽

pp. 780-788 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Nancy A. Stotts ◽

Harriet W. Hopf ◽

Jeanie Kayser-Jones ◽

Glenn M. Chertow ◽

Bruce A. Cooper ◽

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Keyword(s):

Clinical Trial ◽

At Risk ◽

Nursing Home ◽

Pressure Ulcers ◽

Fluid Intake ◽

Nursing Home Residents ◽

Controlled Clinical Trial ◽

Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial ◽

Randomized Controlled

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Internet video chat (Skype) family conversations as a treatment of agitation in nursing home residents with dementia

International Psychogeriatrics ◽

10.1017/s1041610215001854 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 28 (4) ◽

pp. 697-698 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Eva S. Van der Ploeg ◽

Barbara Eppingstall ◽

Daniel W. O’Connor

Keyword(s):

Nursing Home ◽

Nursing Home Residents ◽

Psychotropic Medications ◽

Behavioral Symptoms ◽

Internet Video ◽

Video Chat

The behavioral symptoms that often accompany dementia (for example, pacing, calling out, and resistiveness) are stressful to carers and greatly increase the risk of institutionalization. While psychotropic medications are commonly prescribed, their efficacy is limited. There is great interest, therefore, in developing non-pharmacological strategies to alleviate the distress that underpins many behavioral symptoms (O’Connor et al., 2009).

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