Environmental and Sensory Intervention for Nursing Home Residents With Dementia Who Exhibit Persistent Vocalizations

Description

The purpose of this study is to test a person-centered, nature-based non-pharmacological intervention for nursing home residents living with dementia who exhibit persistent vocalizations. The Environmental And Sensory Experience (EASE) involves the projection of a still nature image and the playing of nature sounds. Family members of the person living with dementia provide consent for the resident to participate in the study and complete a brief survey on nature preferences on the resident's behalf. The survey informs the research team on what nature scene to show. Participants will wear a watch that measures stress levels and research staff will monitor vocalization patterns. We will also recruit persons living with dementia from other settings such as assisted living, personal care units, and adult day care settings.

Conditions

Dementia

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Study Overview

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Study Details

Study overview

The purpose of this study is to test a person-centered, nature-based non-pharmacological intervention for nursing home residents living with dementia who exhibit persistent vocalizations. The Environmental And Sensory Experience (EASE) involves the projection of a still nature image and the playing of nature sounds. Family members of the person living with dementia provide consent for the resident to participate in the study and complete a brief survey on nature preferences on the resident's behalf. The survey informs the research team on what nature scene to show. Participants will wear a watch that measures stress levels and research staff will monitor vocalization patterns. We will also recruit persons living with dementia from other settings such as assisted living, personal care units, and adult day care settings.

A Person-Centered Environmental and Sensory Intervention for Nursing Home Residents With Dementia Who Exhibit Persistent Vocalizations

Environmental and Sensory Intervention for Nursing Home Residents With Dementia Who Exhibit Persistent Vocalizations

Condition
Dementia
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Philadelphia

Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, 19104-2612

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * The participants must: 1) have a medical diagnosis of dementia; 2) have severe dementia as determined by a MMSE score of ≤9 (or another cognitive test indicating severe dementia); 3) have a history of PVs per staff report; 4) be 50 years older or greater; 5) require extensive assistance by staff to ambulate or is non-ambulatory (to allow for consistent video recording). In addition, consent will be obtained from the resident's Legally Authorized Representative (LAR) and assent from the participant.
  • * Persons living with dementia will be excluded if they: 1) are blind; 2) are deaf; 4) never understood English or Spanish; 4) give indications of dissent. Variations will be sought for gender, race and ethnicity.

Ages Eligible for Study

65 Years to

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

Drexel University,

Justine S Sefcik, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, Drexel University

Study Record Dates

2025-08