Investigating the Feasibility of Multisensory Environments to Improve the Assisted Bathing Experience for Veterans With Dementia: A Clinical Trial

Journal

HERD

Year

2022

Volume

15

Issue

2

First Page

180

Last Page

195

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This evidence-based design clinical trial assessed the feasibility of a multisensory environment (MSE) using aromatherapy, color-changing lights, and music as a behavioral intervention to calm Veterans with dementia during assisted bathing to improve the patient experience. BACKGROUND: The number of Veterans with dementia is growing rapidly, along with the associated debilitating behavior challenges. The severity of these distressed behaviors that predominantly occur at bath time often necessitates costly, dangerous sedatives. Feasibility studies of nonpharmacological behavioral interventions during bathing for people with dementia are urgently needed, and research supports MSE as a viable solution. METHOD: Using an A-B, multiple baselines across participants design, this study tracked operational behaviors of four Veterans with dementia during bathing without and with an MSE intervention. Sessions were provided and recorded by a dedicated team of five nurses, so the study team could analyze the Veterans' operational behaviors to understand the impact of individualized MSE during both baseline and intervention phases. RESULTS: The results support the feasibility of MSE as a helpful, nonpharmacological behavioral intervention for Veterans with dementia during bathing. All participants experienced an overall increase in duration of positive operational behaviors and an overall decrease in duration of negative operational behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare environments are integral components in dementia care and the use of MSE within the bathing setting appears to improve not only operational behaviors but the overall bathing experience.

Music and Health Institute Terms

Alzheimer's and Related Dementias; Behavioral Scales; Distress; Music in Combination with Other Techniques; Neurodegenerative Disorders; Patient Satisfaction; Relaxation; Veterans

Indexed Terms

Aromatherapy; Dementia; Feasibility Studies; Veterans; assisted bathing; dementia; multisensory environment

Study Type

Quasi-Experimental Study; Quantitative Methods

Disciplines

Neurology

PubMed ID

34763558

Document Type

Article

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