Measuring Electrodermal Activity to Improve the Identification of Agitation in Individuals with Dementia

Melander, Catharina; Martinsson, Jesper; Gustafsson, Silje

doi:10.1159/000484890

Cited by 31 publications

(58 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…Sensors measuring electrodermal activity could early detect agitation in persons with dementia. These devices could theoretically support nursing staff in recognizing early warning signs of BPSD, but further studies in a clinical setting are needed to confirm this hypothesis (289).…”

Section: Ict Assistive Devices and Domoticsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Multidisciplinary Approach to Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia. A Narrative Review of Non-Pharmacological Treatment

Sinforiani²,

et al. 2018

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Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dementia are chronic diseases with progressive deterioration of cognition, function, and behavior leading to severe disability and death. The prevalence of AD and dementia is constantly increasing because of the progressive aging of the population. These conditions represent a considerable challenge to patients, their family and caregivers, and the health system, because of the considerable need for resources allocation. There is no disease modifying intervention for AD and dementia, and the symptomatic pharmacological treatments has limited efficacy and considerable side effects. Non-pharmacological treatment (NPT), which includes a wide range of approaches and techniques, may play a role in the treatment of AD and dementia.Aim: To review, with a narrative approach, current evidence on main NPTs for AD and dementia.Methods: PubMed and the Cochrane database of systematic reviews were searched for studies written in English and published from 2000 to 2018. The bibliography of the main articles was checked to detect other relevant papers.Results: The role of NPT has been largely explored in AD and dementia. The main NPT types, which were reviewed here, include exercise and motor rehabilitation, cognitive rehabilitation, NPT for behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, occupational therapy, psychological therapy, complementary and alternative medicine, and new technologies, including information and communication technologies, assistive technology and domotics, virtual reality, gaming, and telemedicine. We also summarized the role of NPT to address caregivers' burden.Conclusions: Although NPT is often applied in the multidisciplinary approach to AD and dementia, supporting evidence for their use is still preliminary. Some studies showed statistically significant effect of NPT on some outcomes, but their clinical significance is uncertain. Well-designed randomized controlled trials with innovative designs are needed to explore the efficacy of NPT in AD and dementia. Further studies are required to offer robust neurobiological grounds for the effect of NPT, and to examine its cost-efficacy profile in patients with dementia.

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Section: Ict Assistive Devices and Domoticsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Multidisciplinary Approach to Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia. A Narrative Review of Non-Pharmacological Treatment

Sinforiani²,

et al. 2018

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“…Third, the level of aggregation was set a priori. The data were analyzed by aggregating 5-min epochs, which already is a narrower time interval than previous studies (Kuijpers et al, 2012;Melander, Martinsson, & Gustafsson, 2017;Nijman et al, 2014;Noordzij et al, 2012). For future studies, it may be interesting to add every minute to the equation.…”

Section: 80mentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in heart rate and skin conductance in the 30 min preceding aggressive behavior

et al. 2019

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Aggressive behavior of inpatients threatens the safety and well‐being of both mental health staff members and fellow patients. It was investigated whether heart rate and electrodermal activity can be used to signal imminent aggression. A naturalistic study was conducted in which 100 inpatients wore sensor wristbands during 5 days to monitor their heart rate and electrodermal activity while staff members recorded patients’ aggressive incidents on the ward. Of the 100 patients, 36 displayed at least one aggressive incident. Longitudinal multilevel models indicated that heart rate, skin conductance level, and the number of nonspecific skin conductance responses per minute rose significantly in the 20 min preceding aggressive incidents. Although psychopathy was modestly correlated with displaying aggression, it was not a significant predictor of heart rate and skin conductance preceding aggression. The current findings may provide opportunities for the development of individual prediction models to aid acute risk assessment and to predict aggressive incidents in an earlier stage. The current results on the physiological indicators of aggression are promising for reducing aggression and improving both staff as well as patient safety in psychiatric mental health institutions.

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“…Existing evidence suggests that EDA can be useful in monitoring patterns of behaviour and emotional arousal [ 4 , 5 ]. There are indications that EDA measurements can improve the understanding of behavioural patterns for people with problematic behaviours in nursing homes [ 6 ] and support early detection of agitation in people with dementia [ 7 ]. EDA reflects changes in skin conductivity, which is controlled by the sympathetic nervous system and may indicate stress [ 4 , 5 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Impact of Using Measurements of Electrodermal Activity in the Assessment of Problematic Behaviour in Dementia

Melander

Kikhia

Olsson

et al. 2018

Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord Extra

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Background: A major and complex challenge when trying to support individuals with dementia is meeting the needs of those who experience changes in behaviour and mood. Aim: To explore how a sensor measuring electrodermal activity (EDA) impacts assistant nurses’ structured assessments of problematic behaviours amongst people with dementia and their choices of care interventions. Methods: Fourteen individuals with dementia wore a sensor that measured EDA. The information from the sensor was presented to assistant nurses during structured assessments of problematic behaviours. The evaluation process included scorings with the instrument NPI-NH (Neuropsychiatric Inventory-Nursing Home version), the care interventions suggested by assistant nurses to decrease problematic behaviours, and the assistant nurses’ experiences obtained by focus group interviews. Results: The information from the sensor measuring EDA was perceived to make behavioural patterns more visual and clear, which enhanced assistant nurses’ understanding of time-related patterns of behaviours. In turn, this enhancement facilitated timely care interventions to prevent the patterns and decrease the levels of problematic behaviour. Conclusion: With the addition of information from the sensor, nursing staff could target causes and triggers in a better way, making care interventions more specific and directed towards certain times throughout the day to prevent patterns of problematic behaviours.

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Measuring Electrodermal Activity to Improve the Identification of Agitation in Individuals with Dementia

Cited by 31 publications

References 35 publications

The Multidisciplinary Approach to Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia. A Narrative Review of Non-Pharmacological Treatment

The Multidisciplinary Approach to Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia. A Narrative Review of Non-Pharmacological Treatment

Changes in heart rate and skin conductance in the 30 min preceding aggressive behavior

The Impact of Using Measurements of Electrodermal Activity in the Assessment of Problematic Behaviour in Dementia

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