The effect of child‐centered play therapy and person‐centered therapy consultation on behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia in people with dementia of Alzheimer's type

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundBehavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) is highly correlated with early nursing home placement, caregiver burden, and cognitive and functional decline. Non‐pharmacological interventions should be first‐line used given the side‐effect of medication. Child‐centered play therapy (CCPT) is a proven scientifically and culturally responsive psychotherapy modality that is widely used with children and a variety of problematic behaviors, including individual with brain injury. Person‐centered therapy consultation (PCTC) is a recognized form of psychotherapy with an emphasis on self‐actualization and therapeutic relationships that facilitate psychological changes. This pilot study of people with dementia of Alzheimer's type who exhibit BPSD in Taiwan examines a combination of CCPT and PCTC an effective non‐pharmacological intervention for people with dementia and their caregivers.MethodA single‐case research design will be employed. Three PWD receive 40‐minute weekly CCPT sessions for 8 weeks. Three family caregivers receive 50‐minute weekly person‐centered therapy consultations over 8 weeks. PWD will enter a follow‐up phase for 2 weeks after the last CCPT session. Measures: Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), Neuropsychiatric Inventory Distress Scale (NPI‐D), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR), and Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale‐cognitive subscale (ADAS‐cog) are used to measure the effectiveness of CCPT on alleviating BPSD.ResultThe research process is on‐going.ConclusionThe research process is on‐going.