Using Acupressure and Montessori-Based Activities to Decrease Agitation for Residents with Dementia: A Cross-Over Trial

  1. Li-Chan Lin RN, PhD1,
  2. Man-Hua Yang RN, MSN2,
  3. Chieh-Chun Kao RN, MSN2,4,
  4. Shiao-Chi Wu PhD3,
  5. Sai-Hung Tang MD5,
  6. Jaung-Geng Lin MD, PhD6

Article first published online: 21 MAY 2009

DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2009.02271.x

Issue

Journal of the American Geriatrics Society

Journal of the American Geriatrics Society

Volume 57, Issue 6, pages 1022–1029, June 2009

Additional Information

How to Cite

Lin, L.-C., Yang, M.-H., Kao, C.-C., Wu, S.-C., Tang, S.-H. and Lin, J.-G. (2009), Using Acupressure and Montessori-Based Activities to Decrease Agitation for Residents with Dementia: A Cross-Over Trial. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 57: 1022–1029. doi: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2009.02271.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Institute of Clinical and Community Health Nursing

  2. 2

    School of Nursing

  3. 3

    Institute of Health and Welfare Policy, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan

  4. 4

    Nursing Department, Ching Kuo Institute of Management and Health, Keelung, Taiwan

  5. 5

    Yung Ho Branch, Cardinal Tien Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan

  6. 6

    Graduate Institute of Chinese Medical Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.

*Address correspondence to Li-Chan Lin, 155, Li-Nong Street, Sec 2, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC. E-mail: lichan@ym.edu.tw

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 29 MAY 2009
  2. Article first published online: 21 MAY 2009

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Keywords:

  • acupressure;
  • Montessori methods;
  • agitation;
  • long-term care facilities

OBJECTIVES: To explore the effectiveness of acupressure and Montessori-based activities in decreasing the agitated behaviors of residents with dementia.

DESIGN: A double-blinded, randomized (two treatments and one control; three time periods) cross-over design was used.

SETTING: Six special care units for residents with dementia in long-term care facilities in Taiwan were the sites for the study.

PARTICIPANTS: One hundred thirty-three institutionalized residents with dementia.

INTERVENTION: Subjects were randomized into three treatment sequences: acupressure-presence-Montessori methods, Montessori methods-acupressure-presence and presence-Montessori methods-acupressure. All treatments were done once a day, 6 days per week, for a 4-week period.

MEASUREMENT: The Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory, Ease-of-Care, and the Apparent Affect Rating Scale.

RESULTS: After receiving the intervention, the acupressure and Montessori-based-activities groups saw a significant decrease in agitated behaviors, aggressive behaviors, and physically nonaggressive behaviors than the presence group. Additionally, the ease-of-care ratings for the acupressure and Montessori-based-activities groups were significantly better than for the presence group. In terms of apparent affect, positive affect in the Montessori-based-activities group was significantly better than in the presence group.

CONCLUSION: This study confirms that a blending of traditional Chinese medicine and a Western activities program would be useful in elderly care and that in-service training for formal caregivers in the use of these interventions would be beneficial for patients.

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