Dementia
Conditions
Brief summary
The overall research aim of this study is to investigate changes in measures related to the risk of falls among elderly with dementia participating in animal-assisted or robot-assisted interventions. In addition the study will investigate how knowledge transfer occurs among involved health personnel, and how knowledge is refined and transformed as practical competence. The design will be a prospective and cluster randomized multicenter trial, but mixed-methods will be used to target different outcomes. The study population will be elderly (age above 65) at nursing homes diagnosed with dementia, or having a cognitive deficit. The intervention will consist of 30 minutes sessions with animal-assisted activity or robot-assisted activity two times a week for 12 weeks in groups of 4-6 participants. Control groups will receive treatment as usual. Research questions: 1. Is there an effect in use of ordinary and optional medication among elderly persons with dementia at nursing homes participating in animal-assisted or robot-assisted interventions compared to a control group? 2. Is there an effect on agitation, restlessness and depression among elderly persons with dementia at nursing homes participating in animal-assisted or robot-assisted interventions compared to a control group? 3. Is there an effect on social interaction, activeness and wellbeing among elderly persons with dementia at nursing homes participating in animal-assisted or robot-assisted interventions compared to a control group?
Interventions
OTHERRobot-assisted activity
Sponsors
Vestfold University College
Norwegian University of Life Sciences
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
65 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
\- Diagnosis of dementia or having a cognitive deficit measured as a score less than 25 on Mini-Mental State Examination.
Exclusion criteria
* Fear of dogs * Dog allergy * Need of wheel chair
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Change in Norwegian version of The Brief Agitation Rating Scale | Second last or last week before the intervention starts, after 4 and 8 weeks of the intervention, and first or second week after end of intervention. A follow-up measure 3 months after end of the intervention |
Other
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Norwegian version of QUALID | Second last og last week before the intervention starts, after 6 weeks of the intervention, and first or second week after end of intervention. A follow-up measure 3 months after end of the intervention | — |
| Change in behaviours, engagement and well-being measured by use of Dementia Care Mapping | Second last or last week before the intervention starts, after 6 weeks of the intervention, and first or second week after end of intervention. | — |
| Change in Norwegian version of Cornell scale for depression | Second last or last week before the intervention starts, after 4 and 8 weeks of the intervention, and first or second week after end of intervention. A follow-up measure 3 months after end of the intervention | — |
| Video recordings | After two and ten weeks of the interventions | The video recorded will be analyzed with respect to social interaction and group dynamics |
| Change in use of ordinary and optional medication | Second last or last week before the intervention starts, first or second week after end of intervention and 3 months after end of intervention | — |
| Change in physical activity measured by use of Actigraphy | Second last or last week before the intervention starts, after 6 weeks of the intervention, and first or second week after end of intervention | A device worn by the participants for one week at each time point of measure, night and day, measuring physical movement. |
Countries
Norway
Outcome results
None listed