Sammendrag
Aim. The aim of this study was to investigate effects of robot-assisted group
activity with Paro on quality of life in older people with dementia.
Background. Nursing home residents with severe dementia often experience
social withdrawal and lower quality of life, which are suggested to be enhanced
by non-pharmacological interventions.
Design. A cluster-randomized controlled trial. Ten nursing home units were
randomized to robot-assisted intervention or control group (treatment as usual).
Methods. Data were collected between March 2013–September 2014. 27
participants participated in group activity for 30 minutes twice a week over
12 weeks, 26 participated in the control group. Change in quality of life was
assessed by local nurses through the Quality of Life in Late-Stage Dementia scale at
baseline, after end of intervention and at 3 months follow-up. The scale and
regular psychotropic medication were analysed stratified by dementia severity.
Analysis using mixed model, one-way ANOVA and linear regression were performed.
Results. An effect was found among participants with severe dementia from
baseline to follow-up showing stable quality of life in the intervention group
compared with a decrease in the control group. The intervention explained most
of the variance in change in the total scale and in the subscales describing
Tension and Well-being for the group with severe dementia. The intervention
group used significantly less psychotropic medication compared with the control
group after end of intervention.
Conclusion. Pleasant and engaging activities facilitated by nursing staff, such as
group activity with Paro, could improve quality of life in people with severe
dementia.
The trial is in adherence with the CONSORT statement and is registered at
www.clinicaltrials.gov (study ID number: NCT02008630).
Keywords: dementia care, group activity, nursing, nursing home, Paro, quality of life, severe dementia
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