Cohen-Mansfield, Jiska, Marx, Marcia S., Thein, Khin, Dakheel-Ali, Maha

Objectives: We examined engagement with stimuli in 193 nursing home residents with dementia. We hypothesized that activities and stimuli based on a person’s past and current preferences would result in more engagement than other activities/stimuli. Method: The expanded version of the self-identity questionnaire [Cohen-Mansfield, J., Golander, H. & Arheim, G. (2000)] was used to determine […]

Cohen-Mansfield, Jiska, Marx, Marcia S., Freedman, Laurence S., Murad, Havi, Regier, Natalie G., Thein, Khin, Dakheel-Ali, Maha

Background: Engagement refers to the act of being occupied or involved with an external stimulus. In dementia, engagement is the antithesis of apathy. Objective: The Comprehensive Process Model of Engagement was examined, in which environmental, personal, and stimulus characteristics impact the level of engagement. Methods: Participants were 193 residents of 7 Maryland nursing with a […]

Chu, H., Yang, C.-Y., Lin, Y., Ou, K.-L., Lee, T.-Y., O'Brien, A. P., Chou, K.-R.

Objective: The aims of this study were to determine the effectiveness of group music therapy for improving depression and delaying the deterioration of cognitive functions in elderly persons with dementia.; Method: The study had a prospective, parallel-group design with permuted-block randomization. Older persons with dementia (N = 104) were randomly assigned to the experimental or […]

Cheng, Sheung-Tak, Chow, Pizza K., Song, You-Qiang, Yu, Edwin C.S., Chan, Alfred C.M., Lee, Tatia M.C., Lam, John H.M.

Objectives: To examine the effects of cognitive stimulation (mahjong) and physical exercise (tai chi [TC]) on cognitive performance in persons with dementia.; Design: Cluster-randomized open-label controlled design.; Setting: Nursing homes.; Participants: One hundred ten residents, most of whom were cholinesterase-inhibitor naive. Inclusion criteria were Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) = 10-24 and suffering from at least very mild […]

Camic, P. M., Williams, C. M., Meeten, F.

Ten people with dementia (PWD) and their family carers participated in a Singing Together Group for 10 weeks and measures of mood, quality of life, PWD’s behavioural and psychological problems, activities of daily living and cognitive status were measured at pre, post and 10-week follow-up. Engagement levels were monitored during the sessions and care partners […]

Brodaty, Henry, Low, Lee-Fay, Liu, Zhixin, Fletcher, Jennifer, Roast, Joel, Goodenough, Belinda, Chenoweth, Lynn

Objective: To test the hypothesis that individual and institutional-level factors influence the effects of a humor therapy intervention on aged care residents. Methods: Data were from the humor therapy group of the Sydney Multisite Intervention of LaughterBosses and ElderClowns, or SMILE, study, a single-blind cluster randomized controlled trial of humor therapy conducted over 12 weeks; […]