Calming Music and Hand Massage With Agitated Elderly

Ruth Remington

Journal

Nursing Research

Year

2002

Abstract

Examined whether modifying environmental stimuli by the use of calming music and hand massage affected agitated behavior in persons with dementia. The effects were tested of a 10-min exposure to calming music and/or massage on the frequency and type of agitated behaviors in 68 62-99 yr old nursing home residents with dementia. A modified version of the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory was used to record agitated behaviors. Results show that each of the interventions reduced agitation more than no intervention (control). The benefit was sustained and increased up to 1 hr following the intervention. The increase in benefit over time was similar for each intervention group. When types of agitated behaviors were examined separately, none of the interventions significantly reduced physically aggressive behaviors, while physically nonaggressive behaviors decreased during each of the interventions. No additive benefit resulted from simultaneous exposure to calming music and hand massage. One hr following any intervention, verbally agitated behavior decreased more than no intervention. It is concluded that calming music and hand massage alter the immediate environment of agitated nursing home residents to a calm structured surrounding, offsetting disturbing stimuli. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved)

Music and Health Institute Terms

Agitation; Alzheimer's and Related Dementias; Elderly; Long-Term Care Facility; Music in Combination with Other Techniques; Neurodegenerative Disorders; Psychological Outcomes; Relaxation

Indexed Terms

calming music; hand massage; nursing home residents; dementia; agitated behavior; aggressive behavior; Elderly; Elderly; Analysis of Variance; Geriatrics; Massage; Psychomotor Agitation; Agitation; Hand (Anatomy); Nursing Homes

Study Type

Quasi-Experimental Study; Quantitative Methods

Document Type

Article

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