Evidence for Single-Component NPI Management of Delirium

The use of doll therapy in dementia care appears to be increasing, even though there is limited empirical evidence to support its use and therapeutic effectiveness.

Current evidence suggests that engagement with dolls can promote well-being. This has been described in the literature as a reduction in challenging behavior, greater engagement with others, and even increased dietary intake.

Activity kits contain 9 evidence-based activities: word-search puzzles, doodling, coloring, reminiscence cards, playing cards, color-changing egg, towel folding, the baby doll, and music.

The Geriatric Emergency Department documented 47 successful uses of the activities as first-line nonpharmacologic management of dementia-related behaviors within the first month of implementation.

Prior research has suggested that bright light therapy (BLT) may reduce agitated behaviors in dementia patients. The aim of this study was to test the efficacy of BLT in a randomized, controlled, crossover clinical trial.

Patients with dementia [in chronic care] who exhibit agitated behaviors sleep more hours at night when administered morning BLT. However, BLT does not lead to improvements in agitated behaviors in institutionalized patients with dementia with non‐disturbed sleep–wake cycles.

Bright light therapy as part of a multicomponent management program improves sleep and functional outcomes in delirious older hospitalized adults.

This study shows initial evidence for the clinical benefits (longer total sleep time, increased first sleep bouts “SB” length, and functional gains) of incorporating bright light therapy as part of a multicomponent delirium management program. The benefits appear to have occurred mainly in patients with hyperactive delirium, which merits further in-depth, randomized controlled studies

We conclude that postoperative bright light exposure adjusted the sleep-wakefulness cycle and improved the bed rest of patients. It was also indicated that bright light therapy is useful for reducing postoperative delirium.