Enhancing Quality of Life for Nursing Home Residents

Alzheimer's Disease Clinical Trial

Official title: A Prescription for Enhancing Resident Quality of Life

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

Many persons with dementia exhibit behaviors that caregivers find difficult to manage. The purpose of this study is to test the effectiveness of individualized recreational activities for reducing agitation and passivity in persons with dementia.

Clinical Trial Description

Most persons with dementia exhibit behavioral symptoms, such as agitation and passivity, at some time in the course of their illness. These behaviors are a source of caregiver burden and often precipitate nursing home placement. There are a number of drugs that can be used to treat these behaviors, but they are costly and have serious adverse effects in a sizable number of people. Non-drug interventions, such as recreational activities, are recommended as the first line of treatment for behavioral symptoms. However, we don't know which activities are most effective for individual residents. The "one size fits all" approach has not been very effective. We are testing an approach that individualizes activities for residents based on their personality style of interest and functional level. We anticipate that this approach will be more effective for reducing behavioral symptoms than routine activities given to all residents. Consenting residents are assessed for personality and functional level and are videotaped during a baseline period and during activities so we can reliably measure behaviors, affect and engagement. ;

Study Design

Allocation: Randomized, Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment, Masking: Double Blind (Caregiver, Outcomes Assessor), Primary Purpose: Diagnostic

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Alzheimer Disease
• Alzheimer's Disease

• NCT number: NCT00388544
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: Penn State University
• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 2
• Start date: May 2005
• Completion date: February 2010