Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 28, 2025

Assessment of Dependence in Activities of Daily Living Among Older Patients in an Acute Care Unit
Published on: September 30, 2020
[Use of sedating medication and physical restraints for patients with dementia in acute care hospitals :
Daniel Lüdecke1, Christopher Kofahl2
1Institut für Medizinische Soziologie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Deutschland. d.luedecke@uke.de.
Background:
The majority of acute care hospitals are not prepared for people with dementia with acute diseases in need of treatment. This results in an increased likelihood of the personnel being overtaxed. Dementia is the most frequent reason that hospital personnel administer sedating medication and use restraining measures.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to investigate factors that influence the (inappropriate) use of sedating medication and physical restraints for patients with dementia in acute care hospitals.
Methods:
A non-randomized case control study, including two internal medicine wards was conducted in Hamburg, Germany. In the intervention group a special care concept was implemented focussing on patients with dementia, while the control group received regular care without a special dementia care concept. Logistic regression models were conducted to investigate associations between factors, such as age, severity of dementia, conspicuous behavior, Barthel index and type of treatment and the use of sedating medication and physical restraint measures.
Results:
Challenging behavior (odds ratio, OR = 1.32) and treatment in the control group (OR=1.94) were significantly associated with the use of sedating medication. A low Barthel index, longer periods of hospitalization and treatment in the control group were significantly associated with a higher probability of the implementation of physical restraining measures.
Discussion:
The use of sedating medication as well as physical restraining measures varied greatly between the intervention and control groups. This is in line with other studies that came to similar results and suggests that multiple components of special care concepts can explain these differences. These include architectonic design and spatial aspects as well as dementia-specific training of employees and an appropriate personnel complement. Such interventions can also reduce agitation and behavioral problems of patients. The avoidance of sedation and restraining measures is also positively associated with an increase in the quality of life of patients with dementia.
More Related Videos
07:54Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy DISE with Target Controlled Infusion TCI and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Published on: December 6, 2016
09:36Halogenated Agent Delivery in Porcine Model of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome via an Intensive Care Unit Type Device
Published on: September 24, 2020
Related Concept Videos
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents
Melatonin congeners like ramelteon (Rozerem) and tasimelteon (Hetlioz) selectively bind to melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) and thus mimic the actions of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Tasimelteon is primarily used for non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder, common in blind patients. They are also used to treat conditions like insomnia...
Sedatives and Hypnotics: Overview
Sedative-hypnotics are categorized into barbiturates, benzodiazepines (BZDs), and non-benzodiazepines or Z-drugs. These drugs work by suppressing central nervous system activity, and this suppression is dose-dependent. Older sedative medications, like barbiturates, follow a linear curve in...
CNS Depressants: Barbiturates and Benzodiazepines
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines work by enhancing the effects of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA. They bind to the GABAA receptor, increasing its affinity for GABA, which opens chloride...
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Barbiturates
Stages of General Anesthesia