Date of Award

Spring 5-2006

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

EVMS School of Health Professions

Program/Concentration

Art Therapy

Committee Director

Kay Stovall

Committee Member

Madeline Dunstan

Committee Member

Carol Vogel

Abstract

Dementia affects 1% of older adults in America between the ages of 65 and 74 years, and increases to 10% in those 85 years and older. The cognitive and behavioral symptoms of dementia may restrict an individuals ability to perform activities of daily living, such as self-care, memory, and language. The literature supports the premise that individuals who have dementia can benefit from a treatment approach that focuses on medication regulation, as well as mental stimulation. This study was an art therapy and sensory stimulation intervention designed to reduce agitation, a common non-cognitive symptom of dementia. This study included five participants who were diagnosed with mild to moderate dementia. Therapeutic art and sensory tasks were used 3 days a week for 4-weeks for approximately 30 minutes a day. The caregivers of each participant completed the Pittsburgh Agitation Scale (PAS) before the intervention and after the intervention to measure the levels of agitation. The findings of this study were not statistically significant, however the caregivers made positive comments about the intervention throughout the 4 weeks. Further research with this population may yield clearer results if the design of the study was changed. This pilot study provides a preliminary basis for further studies in this area and a rationale for the use of art therapy and sensory stimulation in the management of behavioral symptoms of dementia.

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DOI

10.25777/y6s7-sw36

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