The Cognitive Model for Behavioural Interventions for older adults with neurocognitive disorders and co-morbid maladaptive personality traits

Abstract

The starting point of this study is that comorbid maladaptive personality traits (CMPT) influence behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). The purpose of this study was to develop and investigate the feasibility of the Cognitive Model for Behavioral Interventions (CoMBI). Forty patients with BPSD and CMPT from two geriatric psychiatric departments were treated with CoMBI. Feasibility was assessed through patient flow, compliance to, and acceptability of the treatment for family members and psychiatric nurses. CMPT was assessed using informant-based questionnaires. Change in BPSD was assessed using pre- and posttests. To determine differences in BPSD, Wilcoxon signed rank tests were conducted and effect sizes were computed. Of 312 patients admitted to the geriatric psychiatric wards, 138 patients were found eligible. 64 (46.4%) patients were discharged from the wards before or shortly after the pretest, in 28 (20.3%) cases CoMBI could not be not applied. Eventually, forty (29.0%) patients were included for analysis. Wilcoxon signed rank tests demonstrated a significant decrease of BPSD with medium (r=0.45) to large (r=0.56) effect sizes. CoMBI is highly feasible for treating challenging behavior in patients with BPSD and CMPT. CoMBI is associated with a significant decrease of challenging behaviors regardless of etiology.