Final Activity Report Summary - NIPID (Psychotic symptoms in dementia)
This study addresses a critical aspect of quality of life of persons with dementia in general and specifically, those of them who manifest psychotic symptoms. The objective of this study was to elucidate the psychosocial and environmental contributors to behaviour which is currently considered and treated as psychosis in persons with dementia.
We developed a questionnaire which inquires about psychosocial and environmental etiologies of psychotic symptoms in dementia, and which tries to illuminate the patient's point of view. We conducted interviews with staff members about 74 nursing homes residents. In addition to the assessment of psychotic symptoms and their causes, we collected information about the demographic, medical, functional, and cognitive status of participants.
As hypothesised, the understanding of the psychosocial and environmental factors lead to the conceptualisation of non-pharmacological interventions. Since we were not able to test the interventions, further research is needed to clarify the feasibility and the efficacy of these interventions. However, anecdotal findings of the study suggest that having participated in the study enhanced the caregiver's understanding of persons with dementia, and therefore had a positive impact on their quality of life. The findings, which are currently being analysed and written up, are expected to lay the foundation for a deeper understanding of persons with dementia and of the true meaning of psychotic symptoms in this population.
We developed a questionnaire which inquires about psychosocial and environmental etiologies of psychotic symptoms in dementia, and which tries to illuminate the patient's point of view. We conducted interviews with staff members about 74 nursing homes residents. In addition to the assessment of psychotic symptoms and their causes, we collected information about the demographic, medical, functional, and cognitive status of participants.
As hypothesised, the understanding of the psychosocial and environmental factors lead to the conceptualisation of non-pharmacological interventions. Since we were not able to test the interventions, further research is needed to clarify the feasibility and the efficacy of these interventions. However, anecdotal findings of the study suggest that having participated in the study enhanced the caregiver's understanding of persons with dementia, and therefore had a positive impact on their quality of life. The findings, which are currently being analysed and written up, are expected to lay the foundation for a deeper understanding of persons with dementia and of the true meaning of psychotic symptoms in this population.