The prevalence of dementia and its effect has made it a global problem and a significant concern. In this regard, medical researchers have committed to seeking better research-based interventions that provide more effective solutions to dementia. This study examines seven research-based articles that analyze and recommend research-based interventions to deal with dementia.
The clinical problem under examination in the matrix is dementia among the aged. Dementia is defined as a disease that impairs one’s ability to think, remember, make decisions or perform everyday tasks and activities. Dementia primarily affects the aged and may, in some cases, be so severe that it may cause headaches. In most cases, dementia may be associated with other diseases and conditions. Globally, over 55 million people have dementia, while 60% live in low and middle-income countries. Among people over 65, 7.1% have dementia, which is equivalent to 1 in every 14 people. Clinical outcomes on interventions range in the level of improvement depicted by people who have dementia. These include; music therapy, pharmacological or drug interventions, cognitive stimulation therapy, reminiscence therapy, validation therapy, reality orientation, physical exercise, and also multisensory stimulation. However the focus of this study is mainly in regard to the evidence-based approaches and interventions.
The purpose of this paper is to seek non-pharmacologicalnon-pharmacological interventions that have been proven as effective in treating dementia. The non-pharmacologicalnon-pharmacological interventions are more effective as they focus on reducing pain stress, encouraging positive changes in behavior, reducing depression, and increasing self and environmental awareness. While searching for the article to best use in my research, the Key terms I used were “Non-pharmacological,” “dementia,” “evidence based interventions,” and also ” the aged” However. This gave results that were more ambiguous and in large numbers. I also, at times, joined these words into phrases for easier searching using Pubmed, CINHAL Excerpt Medical Database (EMBASE), Cochrane, and Science direct. I mostly prefer using Google scholar as it provides access to all these databases and more. It also had more effective filters. Also when I was unable to quickly find an article, I would add more of the keywords to the search tab.
The seven articles test I chose to use in the research varied significantly in terms of the recommended interventions, their criteria for analyzing interventions, the research techniques, and the methods. Most of the articles I used employed secondary data analysis or archival study techniques. This method was referred to as the systematic research technique. However, some qualitative and quantitative studies involved participants and employed participant observation and interviews for clarification. The articles also examined several evidence-based interventions that have been validated as effective in dealing with people with dementia. These include reality orientation, physical exercises, validation therapy, reminiscence therapy, and multisensory stimulation. These interventions are best enforced by the people around the patients daily. The repetitive nature of these activities helps boost their memory and functioning cognitive sense and eliminate instances of disruptive behaviors. They shape the behaviors of the people suffering so that they can remember more and consequently eliminate the symptoms of dementia.
After examining all these seven articles in my study, I noticed that while the quantitative and qualitative studies provided adequate solutions, their scope was limited. They recommended a limited range of interventions that they saw as effective as the research listed them. However, the systematic approach studies proved to be more effective, had more comprehensive coverage, and provided a more in-depth analysis of the interventions covered. They provided a more thorough and adequate analysis of the interventions they recommended from various databases and research works by other researchers. However, they too lacked the validation of being primary sources as the research works were only accepted due to several independent types of research. This effect might be detrimental such that a single error in research by one author is quickly passed on as an actual research conclusion or finding by the next. Also, their research lacks some accuracy as the systematic reviews provided information regarding articles that had even been researched on over ten years ago hence presenting a difficulty in cases that have changed. A particular intervention is no longer practical or applicable to more recent cases.
Overly, the study has effectively depicted how evidence-based interventions in dealing with dementia are applicable. Despite their little use, these interventions provide practical ways to deal with dementia and have little to no side effects as a result. They also focus on different aspects depending on the recommended use. Some focus on behavioral change, others on cognitive functioning, while others seek to reduce various symptoms and boost brain regeneration. The research has also effectively shown how to conduct searches of articles and filter out irrelevant information. While there are many medical databases and spruces of information, they have varying degrees of credibility, and also the level of approval required varies from one to another. This study has effectively shown this and how developments can be made to ensure better research in the future.
References
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Ballard, C., Orrell, M., Sun, Y., Moniz‐Cook, E., Stafford, J., Whitaker, R., … & Fossey, J. (2017). Impact of antipsychotic review and non-pharmacological-pharmacological intervention on health‐related quality of life in people with dementia living in care homes: WHELD—a factorial cluster randomized controlled trial. International journal of geriatric psychiatry, 32(10), 1094-1103.
Dyer, S. M., Harrison, S. L., Laver, K., Whitehead, C., & Crotty, M. (2018). An overview of systematic reviews of pharmacological and non-pharmacologicalnon-pharmacological interventions for treating behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. International psychogeriatrics, 30(3), 295-309.
Moreno-Morales, C., Calero, R., Moreno-Morales, P., & Pintado, C. (2020). Music therapy in the treatment of dementia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in medicine, 7, 160.
Scales, K., Zimmerman, S., & Miller, S. J. (2018). Evidence-based non-pharmacologicalnon-pharmacological practices to address behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. The Gerontologist, 58(suppl_1), S88-S102.
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