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. 2025 Aug 12;15(8):e096540.
doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-096540.

Identifying instruments for measuring agitation and other non-cognitive symptoms in people with advanced dementia in residential settings: a scoping review protocol

Mary Faherty  1 , Lauren O' Mahony  2 , Nicola Cornally  3 , Noeleen Brady  3 , Caroline Dalton O' Connor  3 , Siobhan Fox  2 , Irene Hartigan  3 , Brenda van den Broek  4 , Jenny T van der Steen  4   5   6 , Suzanne Timmons  2
Affiliations

Identifying instruments for measuring agitation and other non-cognitive symptoms in people with advanced dementia in residential settings: a scoping review protocol

Mary Faherty et al. BMJ Open. .

Abstract

Introduction: Various instruments exist for assessing agitation and broader non-cognitive symptoms in dementia (NCSD). However, the feasibility and practicality of using these instruments in residential settings with people with advanced dementia have not been evaluated. The aim of our review is to identify the available evidence regarding tools for measuring (1) Agitation and (2) NCSD in people with advanced dementia in residential settings, in terms of use (feasibility and psychometric properties) in this population.

Methods and analysis: Literature searches will be carried out in Medline, Embase, CINAHL, PsycInfo, Scopus, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Grey literature databases and relevant websites will also be explored for guidance documents, task reports, etc. A three-stage screening process will be adopted and will include pilot testing of source selectors. Two reviewers will independently perform title and abstract screening, then full text screening, against the defined eligibility criteria. This scoping review protocol was registered with Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/p7g86).

Ethics and dissemination: Due to the nature of the scoping review, ethical approval is not required. Results will be disseminated in a peer-reviewed journal and at international conferences.

Keywords: Behavior; Dementia; Nursing Homes; Prevalence; Psychometrics; Systematic Review.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: None declared.

References

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