|
Research > Assessment and Better Care Outcomes Assessment and Better Care Outcomes
Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia
Current Projects
| Centre | Primary Dementia Collaborative Research Centre |
| Node | Monash University |
| Project Title | Behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia: a literature review of psychosocial treatments and the identification of further research topics regarding treatment effectiveness and implementation |
| Researchers | Professor Daniel O’Connor, Professor David Ames, Professor Henry Brodaty |
| Description | The behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) include anxiety, depression, psychosis and behavioural changes such as agitation, resistiveness, aggression, pacing and calling out. These behaviours are stressful to carers and greatly increase the likelihood that people with dementia will be admitted to residential care. Many nursing, psychological and behavioural strategies (called psychosocial treatments here, in contrast to pharmacological treatments) have been developed but research regarding their efficacy and effectiveness is limited and often of poor quality. The purpose of this project is to review the existing literature, identify high quality research publications and condense their findings in a systematic fashion. |
| Completed | 30/11/2007 |
| Products | Summary for Consumers
Tips for Clinicians
Literature Review - Summary
Table Listing Reviewed Studies |
| Contact | For more information contact Professor Daniel O'Connor |
| Centre | Primary Dementia Collaborative Research Centre |
| Node | Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia |
| Project Title | Montessori activities as a treatment of challenging behaviours in people with dementia from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds |
| Researchers | Professor Daniel O’Connor, Dr Susannah Runci, Professor David Ames, Dr Cameron Camp, Dr Madeleine King, Dr Richard Fleming |
| Description | People with dementia who come from non-English speaking backgrounds are disadvantaged if they live in aged residential facilities in which few staff or co-residents can speak with them in their original language. Anxiety and agitation, which are common accompaniments of dementia, might thus be worsened by feelings of loneliness and frustration. We wish to test the effectiveness of individually-tailored, non-verbal, Montessori-type activities in overcoming this language barrier and reducing behavioural symptoms. Trained volunteers will work with us to deliver this intervention. |
| Anticipated Completion | 31/03/2009 |
| Products | TBA |
| Contact | For more information contact Professor Daniel O'Connor |
| Centre | Primary Dementia Collaborative Research Centre |
| Node | Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia |
| Project Title | A pilot controlled trial of topically administered lavender essential oil as a treatment of behavioural symptoms in dementia |
| Researchers | Professor Daniel O’Connor, Dr Susannah Runci, Professor David Ames, Dr Madeleine King, Dr Richard Fleming |
| Description | Evidence from a recent systematic review prepared for the CRC suggests that lavender oil is an effective treatment of agitation, aggression, noise making and other disturbed behaviours in people with dementia. Further study is required, however, as earlier trials used imperfect measures of behaviour. We outline here a pilot study of lavender ointment with actual measures of behaviour before, during and after exposure. We will use a neutral base ointment as a control condition. |
| Anticipated Completion | 30/06/2009 |
| Products | TBA |
| Contact | For more information contact Professor Daniel O'Connor |
|
|
|