Tailored activities to manage neuropsychiatric behaviors in persons with dementia and reduce caregiver burden: a randomized pilot study.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To test whether the Tailored Activity Program (TAP) reduces dementia-related neuropsychiatric behaviors, promotes activity engagement, and enhances caregiver well-being.

Design

Prospective, two-group (treatment, wait-list control), randomized, controlled pilot study with 4 months as main trial endpoint. At 4 months, controls received the TAP intervention and were reassessed 4 months later.

Setting

Patients' homes.

Participants

Sixty dementia patients and family caregivers.

Intervention

The eight-session occupational therapy intervention involved neuropsychological and functional testing, selection, and customization of activities to match capabilities identified in testing, and instruction to caregivers in use of activities.

Measurements

SUBMITTER: Gitlin LN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2803044 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature