A pragmatic trial testing a tailored non pharmacologic therapies on nocturnal behavioral and psychological symptoms associated with dementia.

We compared the efficacy of tailored non pharmacological therapies (NPT) on specific nocturnal behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). This retrospective 1-year study included 84 older dependent patients institutionalized in 7 long-term care home. Dedicated assistants, who were taught by experts how to use NPT, were asked to record the occurrence of each BPSD episode, to choose a given NPT on the basis of their knowledge of the patient and the type of BPSD and to estimate its efficacy.

Impact of Environmental Modifications to Enhance Day-Night Orientation on Behavior of Nursing Home Residents With Dementia.

Objectives: To determine whether environmental rearrangements of the long-term care nursing home can affect disruptive behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in residents with dementia.

Design: Prospective 6-month study.

Setting: The study was conducted before (phase 1) and after (phase 2) environmental rearrangements [skylike ceiling tiles in part of the shared premises, progressive decrease of the illuminance at night together with soothing streaming music, reinforcement of the illuminance during the day, walls painted in light beige, oversized clocks in corridors, and night team clothes color (dark blue) different from that of the day team (sky blue)].