Understanding the neurophysiological factors associated with problem behaviors in patients with dementia with the use of long-term non-pharmacological therapy

2019 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K21436
• Project/Area Number (Other): 18H06353 (2018)
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund (2019); Single-year Grants (2018)
• Review Section: 0908:Society medicine, nursing, and related fields
• Research Institution: Kyoto Tachibana University
• Principal Investigator: GODA Akio 京都橘大学, 健康科学部, 助教C (90823427)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-08-24 – 2020-03-31
• Keywords: 問題行動 / 非薬物療法 / コミュニケーションロボット / 神経生理学的要因 / 認知症 / 地域在住高齢者 / 介護予防 / 地域包括支援

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The present study examined the effects of robot-assisted activity (RAA), a non-pharmacological therapeutic modality on the suppression of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in elderly patients with dementia. In our study, following a single session of RAA intervention, salivary cortisol levels did not decrease in the elderly with dementia compared to healthy elderly subjects. This result suggests that the effect of psychological relaxation is difficult to achieve with a single session of RAA intervention in the elderly with dementia. A 12-week RAA intervention program for elderly patients with dementia resulted in a significant increase in alpha power in the Pz location in resting-state EEG, though there were no significant changes in the severity of BPSD after the intervention. These results suggest that long-term RAA intervention can produce a state of psychological relaxation in the elderly with dementia.

Free Research Field

高齢看護学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究の結果から，認知症高齢者に対する非薬物療法[ロボット介在活動（Robot Assisted Activity：RAA）]は，長期的に介入を行うことで対象者に精神的リラックス状態をもたらすことが示唆された。認知症の問題行動に対する介入では，精神的リラックス状態を提供することが重要（百々，2010）であり，本研究ではその効果の一端が確認された。今後は，非薬物療法の期間，頻度，内容について再検討し，認知症の問題行動の抑制に効果的な介入方法を模索していく。