Non-Pharmacological Approaches to Reducing Negative Behavioral Symptoms: A Scoping Review

The management of negative behavioral symptoms among residents with dementia is a challenge that nursing homes face in delivering quality care. This study examines evidence documenting non-pharmacological interventions that reduce negative behavioral symptoms among nursing home residents with dementia and the role occupational therapy practitioners have in this area. A scoping review was completed for intervention studies published from 1987 to 2014, targeting negative behavioral symptoms among nursing home residents above 60 years of age with dementia. Interventions were categorized based on the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Occupational Therapy Practice Framework. Twenty-two studies met the inclusion criteria. Four types of interventions were identified: occupation-based interventions, context and environment interventions, exercise interventions, and daily routine-based interventions. The non-pharmacological interventions were found to align with the scope of occupational therapy. This suggests that occupational therapy practitioners can contribute to the development and evaluation of non-pharmacological interventions aimed to reduce negative behavioral symptoms.