The effectiveness of interventions on the quality of life of people with major neurocognitive disorder (dementia) in residential long-term care: a systematic review protocol

Abstract

Review question/objective The objective of this review is to answer the following question: Which interventions have the best outcomes related to improved quality of life of people with dementia in residential long-term care? In addition, this review will also define the components of the effective interventions. Inclusion criteria Types of participants This review will consider studies that include people with any type of dementia living in residential long term care facilities. Individuals with dementia are those who have received a medical diagnosis of major neurocognitive disorder according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders or dementia according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. As dementia tends to be unrecognized in its early stage and diagnosed in its later stage, the length of dementia diagnosis is not relevant to this review. If participants are mixed (i.e. residents with and without dementia, or people with dementia in community and in residential long term care participating together), distinct quality of life outcomes for people with dementia must be obtainable. Exclusion criteria are studies that deal with people without medical diagnosis of major neurocognitive disorder (dementia), who instead may have another functional mental health problem (e.g. delirium, depression, anxiety) or problematic behavior. Studies that focus on people living in their own homes, other residences designed for individuals such as senior apartments or independent care, or patients with dementia being hospitalized will also be excluded. Types of interventions This review will include studies that evaluate physical activity, psychological and, independence-oriented interventions, social relationships, social relationship interventions, environment-oriented interventions, spirituality and spiritually oriented interventions, medications, care provider/staff-oriented interventions (e.g. staff education), and multidisciplinary team applications. In addition, interventions of any length and frequency will be included, providing they aim to improve quality of life, well-being or satisfaction of people with dementia. Studies which did not involve interventions will be excluded (e.g. studies focusing on factors influencing quality of life of people with dementia). Types of outcomes This review will consider studies that include the following outcome measures: Quantitative outcomes should be measured by explicit quality of life instruments TRUNCATED AT 350 WORDS