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Ballard C, Orrell M, Moniz-Cook E, Woods R, Whitaker R, Corbett A, Aarsland D, Murray J, Lawrence V, Testad I, Knapp M, Romeo R, Zala D, Stafford J, Hoare Z, Garrod L, Sun Y, McLaughlin E, Woodward-Carlton B, Williams G, Fossey J. Improving mental health and reducing antipsychotic use in people with dementia in care homes: the WHELD research programme including two RCTs. PROGRAMME GRANTS FOR APPLIED RESEARCH 2020. [DOI: 10.3310/pgfar08060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Background
The effective management of agitation and other neuropsychiatric and behavioural symptoms in people with dementia is a major challenge, particularly in care home settings, where dementia severity is higher and there is limited training and support for care staff. There is evidence for the value of staff training and the use of psychosocial approaches; however, no intervention currently exists that combines these elements into an intervention that is fit for purpose and effective in these settings based on evidence from a randomised controlled trial.
Objective
The objective was to develop and evaluate a complex intervention to improve well-being, reduce antipsychotic use and improve quality of life in people with dementia in care homes through person-centred care, management of agitation and non-drug approaches.
Design
This was a 5-year programme that consisted of six work packages. Work package 1 consisted of two systematic reviews of personalised psychosocial interventions for behavioural and psychological symptoms for people with dementia in care homes. Work package 2 consisted of a metasynthesis of studies examining implementation of psychosocial interventions, in addition to developing a draft Well-being and Health for people with Dementia (WHELD) programme. Work package 3 consisted of a factorial study of elements of the draft WHELD programme in 16 care homes. Work package 4 involved optimisation of the WHELD programme based on work package 3 data. Work package 5 involved a multicentre randomised controlled trial in 69 care homes, which evaluated the impact of the optimised WHELD programme on quality of life, agitation and overall neuropsychiatric symptoms in people with dementia. Work package 6 focused on dissemination of the programme.
Setting
This programme was carried out in care homes in the UK.
Participants
Participants of this programme were people with dementia living in care homes, and the health and care professionals providing treatment and care in these settings.
Results
Work package 1: reviews identified randomised controlled trials and qualitative evidence supporting the use of psychosocial approaches to manage behavioural symptoms, but highlighted a concerning lack of evidence-based training manuals in current use. Work package 2: the meta-analysis identified key issues in promoting the use of interventions in care homes. The WHELD programme was developed through adaptation of published approaches. Work package 3: the factorial trial showed that antipsychotic review alone significantly reduced antipsychotic use by 50% (odds ratio 0.17, 95% confidence interval 0.05 to 0.60). Antipsychotic review plus social interaction significantly reduced mortality (odds ratio 0.36, 95% confidence interval 0.23 to 0.57), but this group showed significantly worse outcomes in behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia than the group receiving neither antipsychotic review nor social interaction (mean difference 7.37 symptoms, 95% confidence interval 1.53 to 13.22 symptoms). This detrimental impact was reduced when combined with social interaction (mean difference –0.44 points, 95% confidence interval –4.39 to 3.52 points), but with no significant benefits for agitation. The exercise intervention significantly improved neuropsychiatric symptoms (mean difference –3.58 symptoms, 95% confidence interval –7.08 to –0.09 symptoms) but not depression (mean difference –1.21 points, 95% confidence interval –4.35 to 1.93 points). Qualitative work with care staff provided additional insights into the acceptability and feasibility of the intervention. Work package 4: optimisation of the WHELD programme led to a final version that combined person-centred care training with social interaction and pleasant activities. The intervention was adapted for delivery through a ‘champion’ model. Work package 5: a large-scale, multicentre randomised controlled trial in 69 care homes showed significant benefit to quality of life, agitation and overall neuropsychiatric symptoms, at reduced overall cost compared with treatment as usual. The intervention conferred a statistically significant improvement in quality of life (Dementia Quality of Life Scale – Proxy z-score of 2.82, mean difference 2.54, standard error of measurement 0.88, 95% confidence interval 0.81 to 4.28, Cohen’s d effect size of 0.24; p = 0.0042). There were also statistically significant benefits in agitation (Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory z-score of 2.68, mean difference –4.27, standard error of measurement 1.59, 95% confidence interval –7.39 to –1.15, Cohen’s d effect size of 0.23; p = 0.0076) and overall neuropsychiatric symptoms (Neuropsychiatric Inventory – Nursing Home version z-score of 3.52, mean difference –4.55, standard error of measurement 1.28, 95% confidence interval –7.07 to –2.02, Cohen’s d of 0.30; p < 0.001). The WHELD programme contributed to significantly lower health and social care costs than treatment as usual (cost difference –£4740, 95% confidence interval –£6129 to –£3156). Focus groups were conducted with 47 staff up to 12 months after the end of work package 5, which demonstrated sustained benefits. Work package 6: the outputs of the programme were translated into general practitioner workshops and a British Medical Journal e-learning module, an updated national best practice guideline and a portfolio of lay and care home outreach activities.
Limitations
Residents with dementia were not involved in the qualitative work.
Conclusions
The WHELD programme is effective in improving quality of life and reducing both agitation and overall neuropsychiatric symptoms in people with dementia in care homes. It provides a structured training and support intervention for care staff, with lower overall costs for resident care than treatment as usual.
Future work
It will be important to consider the long-term sustainability of the WHELD programme and cost-effective means of long-term implementation.
Trial registration
Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN40313497 and ISRCTN62237498.
Funding
This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Programme Grants for Applied Research programme and will be published in full in Programme Grants for Applied Research; Vol. 8, No. 6. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clive Ballard
- Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, King’s College London, London, UK
- University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Martin Orrell
- Institute of Mental Health, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Esme Moniz-Cook
- Faculty of Health and Social Care, Centre of Psychological Care and Ageing, University of Hull, Hull, UK
| | - Robert Woods
- Dementia Service Development Centre, Wales Dementias & Neurodegenerative Diseases Network, Bangor University, Bangor, UK
| | | | - Anne Corbett
- Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, King’s College London, London, UK
- University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Dag Aarsland
- Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, King’s College London, London, UK
- Centre for Age-related Medicine, Stavanger University Hospital, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway
| | - Joanna Murray
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Vanessa Lawrence
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Ingelin Testad
- Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, King’s College London, London, UK
- University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Martin Knapp
- London School of Economics and Political Science, London, UK
| | - Renee Romeo
- Department of Health Service and Population Research, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Darshan Zala
- Department of Health Service and Population Research, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
| | | | - Zoe Hoare
- North Wales Organisation for Randomised Trials in Health & Social Care, Institute of Medical & Social Care Research, Bangor University, Bangor, UK
| | - Lucy Garrod
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Yongzhong Sun
- Dementia Service Development Centre, Wales Dementias & Neurodegenerative Diseases Network, Bangor University, Bangor, UK
| | | | | | - Gareth Williams
- Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Jane Fossey
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
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Vella-Burrows T, Pickard A, Wilson L, Clift S, Whitfield L. 'Dance to Health': an evaluation of health, social and dance interest outcomes of a dance programme for the prevention of falls. Arts Health 2019; 13:158-172. [PMID: 31490095 DOI: 10.1080/17533015.2019.1662461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Background: Falls and related injuries in the older population are major public health issues requiring more innovative and effective solutions. This paper reports an evaluation of the Dance to Health (DtH) programme which integrates evidence-based physiotherapy falls-prevention exercises into creative dance.Methods: Sixty-seven participants took part in a mixed-methods study that combined focus group discussions and six pre/post-test questionnaires with a focus on dance interest and ability, group identity, loneliness and isolation, general health and mental health.Results: The findings show that the DtH programme can support and enhance physical, mental and social health and levels of interest in dance. The mixed data yielded evidence of positive change, with statistical significance in findings relating to group bonding and improved physical control and coordination.Conclusions: The findings support the case for recommending the Dance to Health programme in falls-prevention services in relation to its ability to promote a wide range of health and wellbeing benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trish Vella-Burrows
- Sidney De Haan Research Centre for Arts and Health, Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU)
| | - Angela Pickard
- School of Creative Arts and Industries, Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU)
| | - Lian Wilson
- Sidney De Haan Research Centre for Arts and Health, Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU)
| | - Stephen Clift
- Sidney De Haan Research Centre for Arts and Health, Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU)
| | - Laura Whitfield
- Sidney De Haan Research Centre for Arts and Health, Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU)
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Raviv A. Humor in the "Twilight Zone": My Work as a Medical Clown With Patients With Dementia. J Holist Nurs 2013; 32:226-31. [PMID: 24305659 DOI: 10.1177/0898010113513511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Medical clowning has been primarily identified with working with children in pediatrics wards in hospitals. Over the past decade, more and more medical clowns have been working with adults and with patients with dementia as part of holistic care. Along with traditional medical care by hospital staff, the medical clown treats the patient's emotional side. Furthermore, medical clowning has unique advantages in working with patients with dementia. Several studies have shown that humor assists in improving the quality of life of patients with dementia. The clown, as the ultimate comic figure, creates interactions with patients based on humor, which empowers, calms, and strengthens the patient while reinforcing the patient's connection with the surroundings. Medical clowning is an interdisciplinary therapeutic art, and the medical clown has a "kit" of multiple skills (including humor, drama, music, and dance), all of which have a beneficial, therapeutic impact on patients. The current article presents and analyzes case studies from my work as a medical clown with patients with dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amnon Raviv
- Ben-Gurion University, IsraelHaifa University, Israel
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