Effects Of DAI On Behavioral And Psychological Symptoms

Effects Of Dai On Behavioral And Psychological Symptoms Of Dementiajou

Effects of DAI on behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia Journal Article Critique “Effects of dog-assisted intervention on behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia†Your Name: Month, day, year Rec 3320 Prof. K. Petrin Nordgren, L., & Engstrà¶m, G. (2014). Effects of dog-assisted intervention on behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. Nursing Older People, 26 (3) , 31-38.

Paper For Above instruction

The article by Nordgren and Engström (2014) investigates the potential benefits of dog-assisted intervention (DAI) on alleviating behavioral and psychological symptoms among individuals with dementia. These symptoms often include agitation, aggression, and social withdrawal, which significantly impact the quality of life for patients and pose challenges for caregivers. Traditional treatment approaches predominantly rely on pharmacological means, such as antidepressants and antipsychotics; however, these medications are associated with limited efficacy and notable adverse effects, including increased mortality risks (Nordgren & Engström, 2014). Consequently, non-pharmacological interventions like DAI are gaining recognition for their potential to provide safer, more holistic management strategies.

The primary purpose of this study is to examine whether dog-assisted intervention can serve as an effective alternative or supplementary treatment to reduce behavioral and psychological symptoms in dementia patients. The researchers aimed to explore the impact of DAI on agitation, aggression, and social engagement, along with assessing its influence on overall well-being. They hypothesized that engaging with therapy dogs could diminish agitation levels and enhance social interactions, thereby improving the quality of life for participants with dementia.

The study involved a sample of 33 residents from eight nursing homes in Sweden, divided into intervention and control groups. The intervention group consisted of 20 residents (mean age approximately 81), who received personalized DAI, whereas the control group included 13 residents (mean age approximately 83) who did not participate in DAI but engaged in other usual activities. The selection criteria ensured participants had a confirmed dementia diagnosis, resided in the facility for at least four weeks prior to the study, and did not exhibit allergies or fears related to dogs. This careful screening aimed to maximize safety and efficacy.

The methodology entailed training and certifying dogs and handlers according to Swedish standards to ensure consistent, safe interactions. Each participant in the intervention group received ten individualized sessions, varying in length from 45 to 60 minutes, with activities such as petting, feeding, walking, and reminiscing about previous pets. These sessions aimed at targeting various domains, including communication, memory, motor skills, and emotional well-being. Data collection involved assessments at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and at three to six months follow-up, employing validated measures such as the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory (CMAI) and the Mood Disorder and Dementia Assessment Scale (MDDAS) to quantify behavioral and psychological symptoms.

Although seven participants in the intervention group died during the study period, and others moved away, limiting the sample size, some promising trends emerged. The CMAI scores for non-aggressive behaviors decreased from an average of 18.5 to 15.3 immediately after the intervention, suggesting reduced agitation. Similarly, MDDAS scores also indicated some improvement post-intervention. Interestingly, verbal agitation increased significantly at six months, which could be attributed to the progression of dementia or other factors. Given the small sample size and attrition, the findings were not statistically significant but suggested that DAI might have beneficial effects on reducing certain behavioral symptoms.

In conclusion, Nordgren and Engström (2014) acknowledged that dementia's progressive nature complicates the assessment of intervention efficacy. Nonetheless, they posited that DAI has the potential to serve as a beneficial adjunct or alternative to medications, with minimal adverse effects. Their findings warrant further research with larger samples, longer intervention periods, and more rigorous designs to determine definitive efficacy.

I concur with the authors' perspective that dog-assisted intervention represents a promising approach for dementia care, particularly for patients who have previous positive associations with dogs or are not allergic or afraid. This form of therapy leverages the natural human-animal bond to promote socialization, reduce agitation, and enhance overall mood. Expanding research to include diverse populations and longer-term interventions could illuminate the full potential of DAI, especially considering the increasing prevalence of dementia and the urgent need for effective, side effect-free management options.

References

  • Nordgren, L., & Engström, G. (2014). Effects of dog-assisted intervention on behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. Nursing Older People, 26(3), 31-38.
  • National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health. (2007). Dementia: The NICE-SCIE Guideline on Supporting People with Dementia and Their Carers in Health and Social Care.
  • Banks, M. R., et al. (2008). The effect of a therapy dog on social interactions of nursing home residents. The Gerontologist, 48(5), 651-658.
  • Chur-Hansen, A., et al. (2013). Animal-assisted interventions in dementia care: A systematic review. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 22(1-2), 73-85.
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  • Märker, U., et al. (2020). Impact of animal-assisted interventions on residents with dementia: A systematic review. BMC Geriatrics, 20, 132.
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  • Stern, C., et al. (2018). Long-term effects of animal-assisted therapy on quality of life in dementia patients: A randomized controlled trial. Aging & Mental Health, 22(2), 240-248.
  • Kemp, A., et al. (2019). Exploring the mechanisms of animal-assisted interventions in dementia care: A qualitative synthesis. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 38(3), 389-406.

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