Month: January 2017

Does Music Therapy Enhance Behavioral and Cognitive Function in Elderly Dementia Patients? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. (Ageing research reviews. Dec 2016)

This review analyzes the efficacy of music therapy in elderly dementia patients, and if so, whether music therapy can be used as first-line non-pharmacological treatment. Findings show that music therapy was effective when patients received interactive therapy with a compared group. There was positive evidence to support the use of music therapy to treat disruptive behavior and anxiety; there were positive trends supporting the use of music therapy for the treatment of cognitive function, depression and quality of life.

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Characteristics of Activities for Persons With Dementia at the Mild, Moderate, and Severe Stages. (Gerontologist. Dec 2016, Epub)

The purpose of this research was to understand activity in dementia care, we examine relationships of disease stage with types and characteristics of meaningful activities (cueing needs, help with initiation, and recommended engagement time) provided in a home-based intervention trial designed to reduce behavioral symptoms. The results show that activity categories and instructions for set up were significantly related to cognitive and functional levels. Persons with mild dementia were most often prescribed complex arts and crafts and cognitive activities. Persons with moderate dementia were most often prescribed music/entertainment. Persons with severe dementia were most often prescribed simple physical exercises and manipulation/sensory/sorting activities. Average time prescribed for activities was less for those in severe (15min) versus moderate (24min) and mild (28min) stages. The severe group required more assistance with activity initiation and cueing/redirection. These findings provide guidance as to how to use and set up activities across the dementia trajectory.

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Effectiveness of meaningful occupation interventions for people living with dementia in residential aged care: a systematic review. (JBI Database System Rev Implement Rep. 2016, 14(12) p. 163-225)

The aim of this research was to determine the effectiveness of meaningful occupation interventions for people living with dementia in residential aged care facilities (RACFs). Concludes that providing meaningful or individualized tailored activities for people with dementia living in RACFs appears to be effective for a range of behavioral and psychological symptoms. Concludes that providing meaningful or individualized tailored activities for people with dementia living in RACFs appears to be effective for a range of behavioral and psychological symptoms. The strongest evidence was for individualized activities/recreational interventions for a range of BPSD; preferred music for agitation, depression and anxiety; and RT for mood and cognitive functioning. Insufficient evidence precluded making recommendations regarding animal-assisted (dog) therapy and training staff to develop individual care plans using PCC or similar approaches, while there was no good quality evidence to show that Snoezelen was effective for any outcome.

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Polemical note: can it be unethical to provide nutrition and hydration to patients with advanced dementia? (Diametros. 2016, vol. 50, p. 118-137)

Patients suffering from advanced dementia present ethicists and caregivers with a dif-ficult issue: we do not know how they feel or how they want to be treated, and they have no way of telling us. We do not know, therefore, whether we ought to prolong their lives by providing them with nutrition and hydration, or whether we should not provide them with food and water and let them die. Since providing food and water to patients is considered to be basic care that is morally required, it is usually only the provision of nutrition and hydration by artificial means that is considered to require ethical justification. Building on what I call a virtue-based conception of autonomy, I argue that, at least for some patients suffering from advanced dementia, even provi-ding food and liquid by hand is morally wrong.

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Ethical Issues Related To End Of Life Treatment In Patients With Advanced Dementia–The Case Of Artificial Nutrition and Hydration. (Diametros. 2016, 50, p. 118-137)

The focus of this research is on the issue of life-sustaining treat-ment, specifically on the social and ethical implications of tube feeding. The treatment decision, based on values of life and dignity, involves sustaining lives that many people consider not worth living. It explores the moral approach to caring for these patients and review the history of the debate on artificial nutrition and hydration showing the impact of the varying perceptions of the value of these patients’ lives on changing norms. The authors argue that in light of the value of solidarity, decisions about life-sustaining treatment for patients with advanced dementia should be made on a case-by- -case basis, as with any other patient, in consideration of the medical implications of the interven-tion which might best serve the goals of care (i.e., care and respect for dignity) for the individual patient.

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Factors affecting optimal nutrition and hydration for people living in specialised dementia care units: A qualitative study of staff caregivers’ perceptions. (Australasian Journal on Ageing. 2016, 35(4) Epub)

This study aims to explore the perceptions of staff caregivers regarding factors affecting optimal nutrition and hydration for individuals living in Specialised Dementia Care Units in New Zealand.
The results of the study identifies two main themes The first theme ‘It’s about the individual’ encompassed individual factors such as appetite, food appeal, and cognitive and functional abilities. The second theme ‘It’s about the environment’ encompassed factors relating to the dining environment, the social aspects to dining and the provision of support with mealtime activities. Conclusions: Factors affecting nutrition and hydration in people living with dementia are complex and inter-related. Organisations providing specialised dementia care, their staff and foodservice providers should focus on both the individual and environment to ensure optimal nutrition and hydration for the people in their care.

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Multi-nutrient dietary intervention approach to the management of alzheimer’s disease -A mini-review. (Current Alzheimer Research. 2016, 13(12) p. 1312-1318)

The purpose of this minireview is to explore the issue of multi-nutrient intervention in the
management of AD with special focus on medical foods and Mediterranean diet. The findings of this review study indicate that multi-nutrient intervention seem to bring many benefits for AD patients such as the delay of cognitive decline, non-invasive and less costly treatment or none or fewer side effects. In addition, to minimize the risk of AD, a multi-factorial healthy lifestyle approach should be implemented by people already at their mid-life.

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Alzheimer’s disease and diet: a systematic review. (Int J Neurosci. 2017,127(2) p. 161-175)

The aims of this systematic review were to summarize the evidence considering diet as a protective or risk factor for AD, identify methodological challenges and limitations, and provide future research directions.
Despite the methodological limitations,
the finding that 50 of the 64 reviewed studies revealed an association between diet and AD incidence offers
promising implications for diet as a modifiable risk factor for AD.

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Global Health. Want to Create Jobs and Drive Economic Growth? Invest In Nursing and Global Health Workforce. (Nursing Economics. 2016 34(6) p. 307-308)

The High-Level Commission on Health Employment and Economic Growth was created by the United Nations to tackle the projected global shortfall of health care workers. The Commission developed recommendations addressing job creation, gender and women’s rights, education, training and skills, health service delivery and organization, technology, and crises and humanitarian settings. The Commission report is an opportunity for nurse leaders, key stakeholders, and advocates in our nation to continue to champion heath workforce issues. The timing is right as we anticipate a new presidential administration and state, federal, and local leadership in 2017.

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