Environmental and Sensory Intervention for Nursing Home Residents With Dementia Who Exhibit Persistent Vocalizations
A Person-Centered Environmental and Sensory Intervention for Nursing Home Residents With Dementia Who Exhibit Persistent Vocalizations
Who can join
Ages 50 and older · All sexes
Full eligibility criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * The participants must: 1) have a medical diagnosis of dementia; 2) have severe dementia as determined by a MMSE score of ≤9 (or another cognitive test indicating severe dementia); 3) have a history of PVs per staff report; 4) be 50 years older or greater; 5) require extensive assistance by staff to ambulate or is non-ambulatory (to allow for consistent video recording). In addition, consent will be obtained from the resident's Legally Authorized Representative (LAR) and assent from the participant. Exclusion Criteria: * Persons living with dementia will be excluded if they: 1) are blind; 2) are deaf; 3) give indications of dissent. Variations will be sought for gender, race and ethnicity.
About the study
The purpose of this study is to test a person-centered, nature-based non-pharmacological intervention for nursing home residents living with dementia who exhibit persistent vocalizations. The Environmental And Sensory Experience (EASE) involves the projection of a still nature image and the playing of nature sounds. Family members of the person living with dementia provide consent for the resident to participate in the study and complete a brief survey on nature preferences on the resident's behalf. The survey informs the research team on what nature scene to show. Participants will wear a watch that measures stress levels and research staff will monitor vocalization patterns. We will also recruit persons living with dementia from other settings such as assisted living, personal care units, and adult day care settings.
What is being tested
- Environmental And Sensory Experience (EASE) intervention (behavioral)
Sponsor: Drexel University · Participants: 32 · Started: Oct 31, 2024
Contact the study team
- Justine S Sefcik, PhD, RN · Phone: 6074347205
Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT06568107
Locations in the U.S.
| Pennsylvania | Drexel University, Philadelphia |
Conditions
From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Oct 1, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.