Evaluation of Sensory Based Activities in Dementia Care

Abstract

To date, research on the effects of multi-sensory environments (MSE) with a dementia population has been inconclusive. The present study evaluated the effectiveness of a therapy, sensory based activities (SBA), which tailors activities around individuals’ sensory abilities and preferences. The research aimed to investigate: how the behaviours of individuals with dementia compared before, during and after SBA; and how behaviours after SBA compared with behaviours at the same time on days without the therapy. Six participants were selected by the management staff at an Auckland dementia facility. Each participant had their own SBA program which included activities such as dancing, fiddle box, fabric art, poetry, music and massage. Effects of SBA on behaviour were assessed by measuring rates of behaviour and comparing them between before, during and after the activities and also to a comparison day. The results indicate that the use of SBA has immediate effects during the activity but limited short and longer term effects.