Guys and dolls: Two case reports of spontaneous interactions with dolls in male veterans with dementia.

ABSTRACT: Prior studies have described positive behavioral, emotional, and social responses to dolls in persons with dementia (PWD), but most have examined formal doll therapy in institutional settings and primarily included women. This study describes two cases of spontaneous doll interactions in male veterans who were participating in a research study of a gentle group movement program at an adult day center. A doll was present at the study site, and two participants chose to interact with it. Researchers analyzed class videos and thematically coded behavioral, emotional, and social responses to the doll. Mr. B was a 90-year-old World War II-era veteran with moderate Alzheimer's disease. Behavioral responses (n = 83) toward the doll included gazing, holding, and caressing. Emotional responses (n =

SUBMITTER: Malinowski SD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8720118 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature