[The effect of sensory stimulation in the sensory stimulation room on the well-being of demented elderly. A cross-over trial in residents of the R.C. Care Center Bernardus in Amsterdam]

Verpleegkunde. 1997 Nov;12(4):227-36.
[Article in Dutch]

Abstract

A controlled cross-over experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of snoezelen in the snoezelenroom on the well-being of elderly people with dementia. Seventeen elderly residents from the Bernardus Nursing Home in Amsterdam participated. All were in a very advanced stage of dementia requiring a high level of care and nursing. In this study, the presence of behavioural problems was used as a basis for the measurement of well-being. The behaviour was registered by video cameras and analysed by means of certain subscales of a Dutch behavioural observation scale for intramural psychogeriatrics, the Gedragsobservatieschaal voor Intramurale Psychogeriatrie (GIP). The results showed that less behavioural problems were seen with the experimental intervention. This indicates a higher degree of well-being during the snoezelen activity in the snoezelen room than when the residents remained in the living room. The results of this study indicate the need for a large-scale study in which additional outcome parameters are measured.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • English Abstract
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Cross-Over Studies
  • Dementia / nursing
  • Dementia / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Physical Stimulation*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Social Behavior Disorders / nursing
  • Social Behavior Disorders / psychology