Efficacy of multi-sensory stimulation on psychological, behavioral symptoms and health-related quality of life in patients with Alzheimer's disease

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effects of multisensory stimulation on mental behavioral symptoms and health-related quality of life in patients with Alzheimer's disease(AD). Methods From March 2018 to August 2018, 159 AD patients(65-75 years old) in neurology and psychiatric clinic of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University were enrolled.Randomized grouping was performed by randomized software, experimental group (multi-sensory stimulation), 81 cases, control group(no intervention), 78 cases.The experimental group had a multi-sensory stimulation for 16 weeks, twice a week, 40 minutes each time, for a total of 32 times.At the time of enrollment and 16 weeks after the intervention, the simple neuropsychiatry scale (NPI-Q) and the health-related quality of life questionnaire (HRQLS) were filled out.The t-test and two-factor repeated measures analysis of variance were used to analyze the data. Results The NPI-Q scores of the two groups before and after intervention were compared by two-factor repeated measurement ANOVA.There was no significant difference in NPI-Q average score between the expermental group(2.20±0.22) and control group(2.17±0.35) before intervention(t=0.53, P=0.595). After intervention NPI-Q average score of the experimental group(2.17±0.46) was lower than that of the control group(1.71±0.29)(t=7.56, P<0.01). The intervention effect(F=50.77, P<0.01), the time effect(F=39.20, P<0.01) and interaction effect (F=33.89, P<0.01) were statistically significant. The HRQLS scores of the two groups before and after intervention were compared by two-factor repeated measurement ANOVA.The intervention effect(F=140.82, P<0.01), the time effect(F=56.64, P<0.01) and interaction effect (F=60.38, P<0.01) were statistically significant. Conclusion Multisensory stimulation can improve mental behavioral symptoms in patients with Alzheimer's disease and improve health-related quality of life. Key words: Behavior and psychological symptom; Health-related quality of life; Multi-sensory stimulation; Alzheimer's disease