Non-pharmacological interventions in dementia care: what is being implemented

Aims and method Non-pharmacological interventions (NPIs) are recognised for their potential in treating dementia symptoms. However, little is known about the extent of their use. In this study, we conducted structured interviews with people with dementia and their family caregivers (n = 50), profe...

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Main Authors: Sabrina D. Ross, Nadja Ziegert, Francisca S. Rodriguez
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Cambridge University Press
Series:BJPsych Bulletin
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2056469425101204/type/journal_article
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author Sabrina D. Ross
Nadja Ziegert
Francisca S. Rodriguez
author_facet Sabrina D. Ross
Nadja Ziegert
Francisca S. Rodriguez
author_sort Sabrina D. Ross
collection DOAJ
description Aims and method Non-pharmacological interventions (NPIs) are recognised for their potential in treating dementia symptoms. However, little is known about the extent of their use. In this study, we conducted structured interviews with people with dementia and their family caregivers (n = 50), professional caregivers (n = 42) and dementia care coordinators (n = 42) on the use of 14 NPIs. Results Cognitive stimulation/training, physical activity and occupational therapy were implemented by most participants, whereas neurofeedback, drama therapy and phototherapy were rarely used. Most NPIs were carried out weekly. People with dementia and their caregivers reported using significantly fewer NPIs than other participants (P < 0.001). Participants perceived effects for, on average, 90.3% (s.d. = 31.3%) of the NPIs that they used. Clinical implications Providing targeted support and funding might help to increase the use of NPIs by family caregivers as well as in institutional care settings.
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spelling doaj-art-2df24612e92d4e658b7f2990c99a8b502025-08-20T03:33:18ZengCambridge University PressBJPsych Bulletin2056-46942056-47081810.1192/bjb.2025.10120Non-pharmacological interventions in dementia care: what is being implementedSabrina D. Ross0Nadja Ziegert1Francisca S. Rodriguez2https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2919-5510German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Greifswald, GermanyGerman Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Greifswald, GermanyGerman Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Greifswald, Germany Aims and method Non-pharmacological interventions (NPIs) are recognised for their potential in treating dementia symptoms. However, little is known about the extent of their use. In this study, we conducted structured interviews with people with dementia and their family caregivers (n = 50), professional caregivers (n = 42) and dementia care coordinators (n = 42) on the use of 14 NPIs. Results Cognitive stimulation/training, physical activity and occupational therapy were implemented by most participants, whereas neurofeedback, drama therapy and phototherapy were rarely used. Most NPIs were carried out weekly. People with dementia and their caregivers reported using significantly fewer NPIs than other participants (P < 0.001). Participants perceived effects for, on average, 90.3% (s.d. = 31.3%) of the NPIs that they used. Clinical implications Providing targeted support and funding might help to increase the use of NPIs by family caregivers as well as in institutional care settings. https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2056469425101204/type/journal_articleDementias/neurodegenerative diseasesout-patient treatmentpsychosocial interventionsold age psychiatrypsychiatric nursing
spellingShingle Sabrina D. Ross
Nadja Ziegert
Francisca S. Rodriguez
Non-pharmacological interventions in dementia care: what is being implemented
BJPsych Bulletin
Dementias/neurodegenerative diseases
out-patient treatment
psychosocial interventions
old age psychiatry
psychiatric nursing
title Non-pharmacological interventions in dementia care: what is being implemented
title_full Non-pharmacological interventions in dementia care: what is being implemented
title_fullStr Non-pharmacological interventions in dementia care: what is being implemented
title_full_unstemmed Non-pharmacological interventions in dementia care: what is being implemented
title_short Non-pharmacological interventions in dementia care: what is being implemented
title_sort non pharmacological interventions in dementia care what is being implemented
topic Dementias/neurodegenerative diseases
out-patient treatment
psychosocial interventions
old age psychiatry
psychiatric nursing
url https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2056469425101204/type/journal_article
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