[A pilot study into person-centred use of photo's in the communication with people with dementia]

Social contact is important for the wellbeing of people. Dementia can complicate social interaction. In two randomized controlled pilot studies, it was investigated whether viewing different types of images together affects the mood and social interaction of people with moderately severe to severe Alzheimer's dementia residing in nursing homes. At the first intervention participants in the experimental group (n = 10) were shown portraits with positive facial expressions, and the participants in the control group (n = 10) were shown portraits with a neutral facial expression. During the second intervention, the experimental group (n = 10) were shown personalized photos and the control group (n = 10) non-personalized photos. There were no statistically significant differences in mood and the degree of social interaction between the groups. However, calculation of the effect sizes showed that there was a tendency for more positive behavior in viewing neutral portraits and that personalized images had a more positive impact on social interaction, negative behavior, speech and mood.