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Clinical Trial
. 2013 Feb;28(1):35-41.
doi: 10.1177/1533317512467678. Epub 2012 Nov 29.

Application of behavior-based ergonomics therapies to improve quality of life and reduce medication usage for Alzheimer's/dementia residents

Corinne Mowrey  1 , Pratik J Parikh, Govind Bharwani, Meena Bharwani
Affiliations
Clinical Trial

Application of behavior-based ergonomics therapies to improve quality of life and reduce medication usage for Alzheimer's/dementia residents

Corinne Mowrey et al. Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Demen. 2013 Feb.

Abstract

Behavior-based ergonomics therapy (BBET) has been proposed in the past as a viable individualized non-pharmacological intervention to manage challenging behaviors and promote engagement among long-term care residents diagnosed with Alzheimer's/dementia. We evaluate the effect of BBET on quality of life and behavioral medication usage in an 18-bed dementia care unit at a not-for-profit continuing care retirement community in West Central Ohio. Comparing a target cohort during the 6-month pre-implementation period with the 6-month post-implementation period, our study indicates that BBET appears to have a positive impact on the resident's quality of life and also appears to correlate with behavioral medical reduction. For instance, the number of days with behavioral episodes decreased by 53%, the total Minimum Data Set (MDS) mood counts decreased by 70%, and the total MDS behavior counts decreased by 65%. From a medication usage standpoint, the number of pro re nata (PRN) Ativan doses decreased by 57%.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Comparison of pre- and post-implementation quality-of-life measurements.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Comparison of pre- and post-implementation PRN (Ativan) usage.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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