An Innovative Non-Pharmacologic Treatment for Delusional Misidentification in Persons with Major Neurocognitive...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Gerontology

Background:

• Misidentification delusions involve false beliefs about identity, common in neuropsychiatric disorders.
• These delusions significantly burden individuals with Major Neurocognitive Disorder and their caregivers.
• Current treatments for misidentification delusions lack consistent efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate an innovative non-pharmacologic, digital intervention for misidentification delusions.
• To assess the intervention's impact on care recipient behavior and caregiver burden.

Main Methods:

• Case study design describing two caregiver-care recipient dyads.
• Implementation of a novel non-pharmacologic, digital intervention.
• Assessment of changes in delusional misidentification, behavior, and caregiver burden.

Main Results:

• The digital intervention successfully reduced delusional misidentification in both dyads.
• Observed improvements in care recipient behavior were noted.
• Caregiver burden was significantly decreased following the intervention.

Conclusions:

• A non-pharmacologic, digital intervention shows promise for managing misidentification delusions.
• This approach offers a potential new strategy for improving quality of life for individuals with neurocognitive disorders and their caregivers.