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Evidence for implementing nonpharmacological interventions for wandering.
Craig Siders1, Audrey Nelson, Lisa M Brown
1Patient Safety Center of Inquiry, James A. Haley VAMC, Tampa, FL, USA. craig.siders@med.va.gov
Summary
Nonpharmacological interventions can help manage wandering in dementia and head injury patients. This review categorizes and discusses evidence for various strategies, highlighting areas for future research.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Neurology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Wandering is a frequent, problematic, and dangerous behavior in dementia and head injury.
- Effective management strategies are crucial for patient safety and care quality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review nonpharmacological interventions for managing the negative consequences of wandering.
- To synthesize the emerging literature on this topic.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature review was conducted.
- Searches included multiple electronic databases and hand searches of articles.
- 31 articles meeting established criteria were identified and classified.
Main Results:
- Interventions were categorized into six groups: subjective barriers, physical activities, specialized environments, behavioral techniques, music, and alarms.
- The reviewed literature demonstrated variability in theoretical basis, methodological rigor, and clarity.
- The level of evidence supporting each intervention type varied.
Conclusions:
- Nonpharmacological interventions show promise in managing wandering behaviors.
- Further research is needed to establish the efficacy and optimal application of these strategies.
- Future studies should focus on improving methodological rigor and theoretical soundness.