1. The impact of therapeutic interventions on improving
Quality of Life for Persons with Dementia: The carer's
perspective
Lori-Jo Curran
BSc (Hons) Forensic Psychobiology
2016
School of Social and Health Sciences
3. Acknowledgements
I would like to express my most sincere gratitude to my project supervisor Siobhan
MacAndrew for all her guidance and caffeine-fuelled therapy sessions! Your endless
enthusiasm and belief in me has been inspiring - thank you very much.
To all the other members of staff at Abertay who have helped me through this project
and SPSS-related crises, thank you!
I would also like to give my deepest thanks to my incredible family and wonderful
friends for their constant love and support. I could not have done it without you, I'm
forever thankful for all of you.
Samuel - thank you for being my rock and my best friend through everything. Thank
you for your strength, your faith and for always encouraging me to be the best I can
be. I thank God for you every day.
To my amazing mum, you are the best I could have ever wished for. Thank you for
everything - I would be lost without you.
Finally, very special thanks to all the amazing, incredibly brave people with dementia
I have had the pleasure of caring for and working with over the past three years.
They have taught me many lessons, they have given me so much joy and they are
truly responsible for the inspiration behind this project.
iii
4. Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of non-pharmacological, therapeutic
interventions on improving the Quality of Life (QOL) for People with Dementia (PWD)
as measured by carer's perceptions of the degree of impact. Intervention sessions
occurred once a week for four weeks, with three carers and eleven PWD making up
the sample. The four therapies used in the research were Music Therapy, with
singalongs and discussions about the music, Reminiscence Therapy using
photographs and sharing memories, Matching Pairs matching photographs of
objects based on function and Exercise Therapy including basic movements, and
throwing and catching a ball. The perceived enjoyment scores for the therapeutic
interventions were recorded for each PWD. Carers also provided Pre and Post-
Intervention Quality of Life ratings and quantitative analysis showed that
interventions had a significant positive result on QOL ratings (p = .005). Qualitative
analysis of session observations also provided valuable insights into the
effectiveness of the interventions, suggesting that they were a worthwhile therapeutic
method to pursue and develop further.
iv
6. The impact of therapeutic interventions
Introduction
Dementia is a disease that causes a profound and often aggressive deterioration in
the cognitive abilities of an individual. It progressively impacts negatively on memory,
judgement, comprehension and social behaviours. Dementia comes in many forms
with the most common being Vascular Dementia and Alzheimer's disease and is
suffered by 850,000 individuals in the UK alone; predicted to increase to
approximately 1.2 million by the year 2025 (Alzheimer's Society, c.2015). The
disease, regardless of its type, progresses in stages with each stage being more
debilitating than the last, often with significant deteriorations in cognition and
executive function. As dementia advances, the disabilities become more prominent
and the person with dementia (PWD) will be more dependent on the care of others,
most likely within a nursing home environment. The study focuses on the lived
experiences of the individuals living within these environments (Górska, Forsyth,
Irvine, Maciver & Prior, 2013) and considering these experiences when evaluating
the implications and efficacy of therapeutic interventions.
For individuals suffering with dementia, going through the transition of being in their
home environment to going into a care facility can be difficult, and can contribute to
the severity of their already existing symptoms such as confusion and depression
(Kohler et al, 2010). The first few weeks of being in a new environment is stressful
for PWD; having to adapt to new surroundings, becoming familiar with the faces of
carers and nurses and learning new routines can be overwhelming for them and lead
to a decreased mood and the worsening of symptoms. These events, combined with
the severity of their impairment, are likely to lower a PWD's perception of their
Quality of Life (QOL) significantly.
A definition of Quality of Life is "a complete state of physical, mental and social well-
being and not merely the absence of infirmity and disease" (World Health
Organisation, 1948). The presence of any mental or physical disease or disability will
likely have a significant effect on a person's perception of their QOL, so can be
suggested that a profoundly debilitating disease such as Dementia will have a
severe impact on a sufferer's QOL. Quality of Life can also be a difficult concept to
measure due to its highly subjective nature and the PWD's inability to provide
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7. The impact of therapeutic interventions
insights and participate in discussions due to their cognitive impairments (Moyle et
al, 2007). However, it is suggested that rather than cognitive impairments being a
predictor of perceived QOL, behavioural and psychological disturbances are directly
related to QOL (Banerjee et al, 2005). A method to measure QOL quantitatively
known as the DEMQOL and DEMQOL-proxy (Dementia Quality of Life
Questionnaire) designed by Smith et al (2005) in order to determine the factors that
potentially influenced perceptions of health-related QOL by both PWD and their
caregivers. DEMQOL-proxy questionnaires are used when PWD lack the capacity to
express themselves in a way that provides an accurate reflection, and their
caregivers are more qualified to offer the information required. The health-related
questionnaires are reliable and accurate measures of Quality of Life for PWD (Hurt et
al, 2008; Orgeta et al, 2014).
The views of caregivers can be extremely insightful and helpful in the process of
measuring QOL. When a PWD goes into nursing or residential care, the carers
become a large part of a PWD's life. The familiar faces of carers provide personal
care, emotional support and an element of continuity, which is important for PWD's
feelings of security within a care home. Due to the large amount of time that carers
spend with PWD, they are able to give accurate accounts of how the PWD live within
the home; how they behave, interact with others, conduct their daily activities and
how they might be feeling from day to day. This is why when carers are asked how
they perceive the PWD's QOL, their opinions are insightful and valuable (Hurt et al,
2008).
Presently, the facilities for caring for PWD are limited, and they may not always
receive the attention they require whilst residing in a nursing home. Some of the
behavioural issues in PWD could stem from the unmet needs that could be improved
by using non-pharmacological interventions (Cohen-Mansfield, 2013). Therefore, it
has become a priority to develop ways of improving care of PWD and increasing
their QOL. Approximately £4.3 billion is spent on healthcare for PWD per year in the
UK (Alzheimer's Society, c.2015); a large amount of this money will be spent on
pharmaceutical interventions such as anti-psychotic medication and anti-depressants
to treat some of the symptoms of dementia. However, it could be suggested that
these medications, which come with limited effectiveness and many adverse side
effects, are not always a productive use of such a large sum of money due to
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8. The impact of therapeutic interventions
dementia being incurable, and the increasing success rates of non-pharmacological
interventions.
Although pharmacological treatments can be useful for reducing the symptoms that
come with Dementia, non-pharmacological interventions are becoming more
frequently used and highly regarded within healthcare, particularly when caring for
PWD. It may be a possibility that using non-pharmacological interventions alongside
medications could increase a PWD's feelings of well-being and QOL significantly.
However, it has been proposed that non-pharmacological treatments are
exceptionally effective in reducing behavioural issues (Cohen-Mansfield, 2013),
increasing cognitive function and promoting independence (Graessel et al, 2011)
which would contribute to an increased QOL overall. The current research aims to
examine non-pharmacological treatments in order to provide some measure of their
efficacy.
Each PWD has different needs in regards to their care, and tailored non-
pharmacological interventions are an ideal way of engaging PWD and meeting their
emotional, physical and social needs in creative and entertaining ways (Hurt et al,
2008). An adapted version of MAKS therapy (motor stimulation, activities of daily
living and cognitive stimulation) was used as a novel therapy routine for PWD. The
MAKS consisted of physical therapy to improve strength, mobility and circulation
(stretching, balancing and squatting), person-centred activities such as personal care
and activities of daily living (ADL) and recreational activities (Kumar et al, 2014).
They found that this therapeutic routine influenced physical, psychological, social
and environmental factors and improved the short-term QOL and well-being of
individuals with mild to moderate dementia.
Multisensory rooms are a further therapeutic intervention being used within care
homes that are not only highly effective in reducing anxiety and agitation in PWD but
are also time and cost-effective. These rooms are usually very simple, with
comfortable furniture, serene artwork on the walls, a CD player, aromatherapy
machines, plants and soft toys and are intended for PWD to use when they are
feeling particularly anxious or unsettled (Mitchell et al, 2015). Multisensory rooms
can be used without planning, which reduces the stress for carers and can provide a
calming environment for PWD to spend time alone or with others; relatives, other
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9. The impact of therapeutic interventions
residents, carers etc. When PWD visit the rooms frequently, agitation and anxiety is
reduced, which in turn has a positive effect on general well-being and QOL of PWD.
Multisensory rooms will not be included in the current research, however, their
benefits are worthwhile mentioning. Many care facilities have Multisensory rooms
and they are effective in providing the opportunity to conduct interventions at any
time.
Reminiscence therapy is a non-pharmacological intervention that is highly popular
with both PWD and carers and is effective in improving general mood in PWD
(Woods et al, 2005). Reminiscence Therapy (RT) is a treatment that encourages the
recall of events of the past; childhood, marriage, family life or career for example,
with the use of photographs, music or familiar objects. RT is based on the premise
that even in the later stages of dementia, when many things have been forgotten, the
use of stimuli such as music and photographs can stimulate the semantic memory to
in turn provoke the autobiographical memory, encouraging the recall of events of a
PWD's life (Cotelli, Manenti & Zanetti, 2012). RT is a common activity to be carried
out within a care home as it doesn't require much forward planning and it is enjoyed
greatly by PWD. The primary purpose of RT is to allow PWD to speak openly about
their lives and their experiences in order to improve general mood, reduce
depression and increase perceived QOL. Previous research findings that have used
both individual and group RT interventions and found improvements in mood,
general well-being and QOL support this (Subramaniam & Woods, 2012; O'Shea et al,
2014). Recollecting memories intertwined with positive emotions such as joy or love
is therapeutic because it allows the PWD to relive these moments and share them
with others. In addition to this, RT can make the PWD feel like they are no longer
burdened with a painful memory, and the effects of RT on QOL for PWD can be
significant, with increases in QOL perception after as little as 8 weeks of
participating in the therapy (Jo & Song, 2015). In addition to the benefits of
reminiscing on overall mood and feelings of well-being, RT can also have positive
effects on word recall and fluency as well as non-verbal communication between
PWD and their carers and other PWD when RT is used in replacement of general
conversation (Okumura, Tanimukai & Asada, 2008). Evidence for the effects of RT
on increasing the fluency of cognitive processes and on QOL is still limited which is
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10. The impact of therapeutic interventions
why the current study aims to contribute evidence for its efficacy from within a care
home environment.
Exercise therapies have also become a focus in research for non-pharmacological
treatments for dementia that have a positive impact on QOL and well-being. Williams
and Tappen (2008) have found that exercise can reduce depression and increase
mood and feelings of wellbeing for PWD. Longitudinal use of exercise interventions
focusing on basic exercise routines such as walking, balancing and stretching
tailored to the PWD's abilities have been found to have significant benefits including
decreases in depression and increases in physical abilities (Potter et al, 2011).
Regular exercise for PWD can also assist in preventing falls, improving sleep and
promoting social interactions in a group exercise setting (Young & Illsley, 2014). The
benefits of exercise are all substantial providing the therapies are conducted within
the capabilities of the PWDs and these benefits could all contribute to higher QOL for
PWD residing in a care home. The current research aims to establish what the
carers' opinions are on the benefits of the intervention, and how they would
successfully conduct exercise therapy within the care home environment.
Cognitive Therapy is used as a non-pharmacological treatment for PWD frequently.
In previous literature, cognitive therapies have been used to try to improve cognitive
functioning for PWD yet few have investigated whether or not stimulating activities
have a positive effect on QOL. Cognitive interventions can include a number of tasks
that can challenge the cognitive mechanisms of PWD. Spaced Retrieval Effect
Therapy (SRT) involves the PWD being presented with information to remember and
prior to recall, the introduction of other tasks or conversations to test the strength of
the short-term memory. Procedural Motor Learning is another example of Cognitive
Therapy that includes tasks such as learning a dance routine to examine the function
of a PWD's memory in relation to physical activities. Dual Cognitive Support is also a
good example and involves the use of stimuli associated with the information given
to PWD to remember, and a significant amount of support given during the encoding,
and retrieval stages of memory processing (Acevedo & Loewenstein, 2007). An
example of Cognitive Therapy that did have a positive effect on QOL for PWD is
Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) (Woods et al, 2006). CST is a combination
therapy technique using both reminiscence therapy and reality orientation therapy
which is a person-centred task involving the presentation of information to make a
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11. The impact of therapeutic interventions
PWD more aware and understanding of their environment and their situation. They
found that improvements in QOL are significantly associated with decreased levels
of depression and dependency on others, and an increase in cognitive function is a
result of CST. The current research will include a form of CT to establish the
cognitive mechanisms of PWD and see how encouraging cognitive stimulation can
have a positive impact on QOL and how carers recognise this.
Music therapy is another therapeutic intervention that has shown significant positive
effects on the QOL of PWD. The potential power of music is substantial and it
undoubtedly plays a part in the majority of people's lives. It is thought that music can
encourage the listener to have a sense of self, promote healing which creates
balance in the body and spirit, boost the immune system and improve personal
relationships (Campbell, 1991). PWD are sensitive and responsive to music up until
the later, more severe stages of the disease, and for the most part maintain the
ability to recognise familiar tunes (Samson et al, 2015). Music therapy is considered
one of the most popular non-pharmacological therapeutic methods for enhancing
QOL due to its potential powerful effects on emotions, behaviours and cognition
(Lem, 2015). Many researchers have investigated the effects of music therapy on the
behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia and have found that when
there is a social element incorporated into music therapy there tends to be more of a
positive effect on the negative symptoms such as agitation and aggression (Fischer-
Terworth & Probst, 2011). It may be that when PWD can interact with their carers or
therapists whilst listening to music and using musical instruments, they feel a sense
of freedom and an ability to communicate their thoughts and feelings more easily
(Raglio et al, 2009; Cooke et al, 2010). As verbal communication can often be
challenging for PWD, using music as a tool to pass a message across, for example,
banging on a drum loudly to demonstrate their agitation could be highly effective for
PWD. Active participation in music therapy tends to be more effective than simple
music listening either in a group setting or individual listening. However, when music
of the PWD's own choice is streamed into their bedrooms via headphones for them
to listen to whilst relaxed did show reductions in anxiety and depression (Guétin et
al, 2009) which would suggest that simple music listening also has its own benefits.
The presence and active involvement of carers during music therapy will provide
PWD with excellent opportunities to communicate and engage with the therapy.
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12. The impact of therapeutic interventions
Carers develop some of the closest relationships with PWD and have the ability to
encourage and support PWD, not only with general day to day living but also
throughout therapy sessions. In order to demonstrate the benefits of having carers
being involved with the therapies, Camic, Williams & Meeten (2011) carried out
singalong sessions for 10 weeks for PWD and their carers. They found it difficult to
measure the behavioural, psychological and cognitive benefits but found that the
levels of engagement for both PWD and carers was exceptionally high and that QOL
remained stable for the duration of the research. These findings indicate the
importance of carer involvement for therapeutic interventions, which is why the
carers will feature as a focus point in the current research.
The current research was conducted in a local sheltered housing facility with a
population of PWD. Carers were asked some general questions about the PWD and
their QOL prior to the therapeutic activities being carried out. Carers then carried out
the activities with the PWD which consisted of four separate phases. A Music-based
Therapy in which carers played music familiar to PWD and conducted a singalong
with them was carried out first. Reminiscence Therapy in which carers used images
of old-fashioned, familiar objects to encourage memory recall and storytelling
followed the Music Therapy. A Matching Pairs game was then conducted using the
same materials from the RT; images of old-fashioned objects matched with images of
their modern equivalents. Then seated exercise therapy was carried out involving the
throwing and catching of a ball between carers and PWD and stretching. Following
this, more questionnaires were completed by the carers including a QOL related
questionnaire and an activity evaluation where they provided their opinions on the
therapeutic interventions and scores on the QOL of PWD.
The aim of the research is to investigate the effectiveness of various therapeutic
interventions on the QOL for PWD residing in a care home, how carers recognise the
importance of these interventions and potentially influence their effectiveness. The
therapeutic interventions being used in the research are reminiscence therapy,
cognitive games, seated exercises and music therapy. It is hypothesized that
therapeutic interventions will have a positive effect on PWD's QOL from the
perspective of carers. It is also hypothesized that the more involvement carers have
in carrying out the interventions, the more interaction there will be between them and
PWDs, increasing levels of engagement and highlighting the benefits of the
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13. The impact of therapeutic interventions
therapies, primarily increased QOL, but also increased mood and enhanced levels of
communication for example, leading to more accurate and insightful ratings from the
carers. Pre and Post-Intervention QOL scores from the DEMQOL-proxy
questionnaires will be analysed establish the effects of the interventions on QOL and
all additional, qualitative data will be analysed separately to identify significant
themes using a Grounded Theory approach (Urquart, 2013).
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14. The impact of therapeutic interventions
Method
Participants;
The three participants were health care assistants working at a sheltered housing
facility in Dundee. All of the participants had at least six months of experience in
caring for individuals suffering from dementia and other illnesses. All participants
were female and gathered via convenience sampling. Consent was sought initially
from the home manager as well as all participants. The experiment had a within
subjects design therefore all participants were assigned to the same condition.
Materials;
A Participant Information Sheet was used to inform all participants on the purpose of
the study and a brief explanation of what they would be required to do (see Appendix
A). Following the handing out of information sheets, all participants completed
consent forms stating their willingness to participate in the research (see Appendix
B). The materials used for conducting the therapeutic activities were shown to
participants; the list of thirteen songs on the CD along with lyrics to each of the
songs to be used in a singalong (see Appendix C). Thirty A4 pictures of objects, both
old fashioned and modern, for example, a photograph of a modern kettle will be
matched with a photograph of an old copper kettle, and a new, rubber hot water
bottle paired with an old-fashioned ceramic hot water bottle. The photographs were
used in the reminiscence activity to provoke memory recall, and again in the
matching pairs game to test cognitive ability of the PWD (see Appendix D). Finally, a
soft, stuffed ball was used in the seated exercise therapy. Following the
demonstration of all materials to be used in the therapies, a pre-activity evaluation
questionnaire was used to gain initial data from the carers (see Appendix E). Once
each activity concluded, the participants (see Appendix F) completed activity
evaluation questionnaires, containing three questions per intervention. After each
session was over, all participants were required to complete the DEMQOL-proxy
questionnaire to evaluate their views on the benefits of each therapeutic intervention
and the PWD's QOL (see Appendix G). Each questionnaire was scored using a
score sheet created by the researcher (see Appendix H). After testing was
completed, all participants received a debrief sheet (see Appendix I).
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15. The impact of therapeutic interventions
Procedure;
All participants were greeted by the researcher and a short time was spent having
informal conversation to allow the researcher and participants to get to know each
other. Participants were then given the Participant Information Sheets (Appendix A)
to read and were given the opportunity to ask questions about the research. After all
questions had been answered, participants completed the informed consent forms
(Appendix B). The participants were also given a brief explanation of the therapeutic
techniques and how the session would be conducted which is illustrated in Figure 1.
Following this, whilst the researcher set up a warm, comfortable, and familiar lounge
as the area for conducting the research in, participants were instructed to gather all
of the PWD who wished to take part in the activities. PWD were all residents in a
sheltered housing facility and were all at different stages of the disease, ranging from
very mild impairments to profound and severe disabilities. The PWD were all told
that they were under no obligation to participate in all the activities and they could
leave at any time.
Participants completed the pre-activity questionnaire (Appendix E) to address the
emotional state of the PWD at the time as well as QOL perceptions and the
participants' views on each PWD's mood and enthusiasm for participating in the
activities.
Music Therapy
Once all pre-activity evaluation questionnaires were completed, the first activity
began. The first therapeutic activity was music-centred and consisted of a sing-along
to songs that were familiar to PWD and participants alike. The songs were burned to
a CD by the researcher and a booklet of lyrics to each song was handed out to both
the participants and PWD (Appendix C). The participants were all encouraged to
sing with the PWD and help the PWD find the lyrics in the booklet if they did not
remember them well. The sing-along lasted for approximately 25 minutes, after
which PWD were asked general questions about what they of the music they had just
heard and if it provoked any memories.
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16. The impact of therapeutic interventions
Reminiscence Therapy
The reminiscence therapy was conducted in the same lounge as the music therapy
session and the A4 laminated photographs of old fashioned objects were used
(Appendix D). Participants sat with the PWD and these pictures were passed around
the group. Free conversation and the recalling of memories from the residents
triggered by viewing the photographs was encouraged and supported by the
participants. The enthusiasm of the PWD and their engagement in this discussion
was noted both by participants and the researcher.
Matching Pairs Game
Following the reminiscence activity that lasted for approximately 30 minutes, the
matching pairs game was conducted using the same set of photographs from the
reminiscence therapy; old fashioned objects plus the addition of pictures of their
modern-day equivalents (Appendix D). Each PWD was given two photographs, one
old fashioned and one modern, and had to look around at every other person's
photographs and make pairs out of them based on their shared appearance or
function. The ability of PWD to form a pair out of the photographs given to them was
then recorded.
Seated Exercises
The final activity within the therapeutic intervention session was a seated exercise
therapy in which PWD (and other residents) all sat in the lounge and followed the
actions of the participants and the researcher. There was approximately five minutes'
worth of seated stretches; including the raising of the arms and legs and the
swinging of the shoulders, neck and head. After this short warm-up, participants
stood in front of the seated residents and threw a soft, stuffed ball to the PWD. PWD
would then throw the ball either back to the participants or to another resident sitting
with them. This game went on for about fifteen minutes, and afterwards all PWD,
residents and participants had refreshments.
Participants then filled out activity evaluation questionnaires (Appendix F) for each
PWD, and gave their views and official ratings on how they felt the PWD enjoyed the
activity. Participants were also asked to complete the DEMQOL-proxy questionnaire
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17. The impact of therapeutic interventions
(Appendix G), which focused on the quality of life of the PWD and how their mood,
personal relationships and social interactions may influence their QOL. The sessions
of therapeutic interventions were carried out once a week for four weeks to increase
the likelihood of observable improvements. All healthcare protocols were adhered to
throughout the process and all residents received personal care during the sessions
as and when it was required. Once the sessions were completed, all participants
were given a debrief form (Appendix I).
Figure 1 - Flow diagram illustrating the procedure of interventions and questionnaires used
•Partipants asked to evaluate
the current mood of PWD and
Pre-Activity
Questionnaire
state how they feel the PWD
will benefit from the
interventions
Music
Therapy
• Singalong to songs from an era familiar to
PWD and a discussion about the music
and the memories it provoked
•Photographs of familiar images to
Reminiscence
Therapy
the PWD were used to provoke
memory recollection and a
discussion of these memories
•Using photographs from the
Reminiscence therapy with the
addition of modern equivalents of the
objects, PWD were asked to make
pairs of the pictures based on
appearance and function
Matching Pairs
Cognitive
Game
•PWD carried out seated
stretches and movements
and threw and caught a soft
ball from other PWD and
carers
Activity Evaluation
Questionnaire
•Participants asked to evaluate
how they thought each PWD
enjoyed the interventions and
how they would score the
PWD's QOL following the
therapies
Seated Exercise
Therapy
DEMQOL-proxy
Questionnaire
Questionnaire used to assess
the QOL of PWD from the
carers' perspectives
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18. The impact of therapeutic interventions
Quantitative Results
The data gathered from three healthcare assistants for a sample of 11 People with
Dementia has supported the prediction that implementing therapeutic interventions
would have a positive effect on the ratings of Quality of Life for PWD as perceived by
the carers. The following statistical tests and graphical representations give evidence
to the support of the research hypothesis.
To investigate the strength of the experimental hypothesis by examining both Pre
and Post-Intervention QOL ratings, a non-parametric Friedman test was conducted
and indicated that the Post-Intervention Quality of Life ratings for all PWD (Median =
9.0) were significantly higher than the Pre-Intervention Quality of Life ratings (Mean =
8.0), 2 (1) = 8.00, p =.005.
Figure 2 illustrates the overall increase of QOL ratings both Pre (Mean = 7.45, CI's =
6.00 and 8.91) and Post-Interventions (Mean = 8.64, CI's = 7.58 and 9.69) based on
the perceived enjoyment scores of each therapeutic intervention, the means and
standard deviations of which can be seen in Table 1, combined for the entire group
of PWD. The graphical representation of data indicates that the therapeutic
interventions were successful and adds strength to the hypothesis.
Descriptive Statistics
N Mean Std. Deviation Variance
Music Enjoyment Score 11 8.00 1.789 3.200
Reminiscence Enjoyment Score
11 7.36 1.804 3.255
Matching Pairs Enjoyment Score
11 4.82 2.483 6.164
Exercise Enjoyment Score 11 4.82 3.371 11.364
Valid N (listwise) 11
Table 1: Means and Standard Deviations of each Intervention Therapy
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19. The impact of therapeutic interventions
Figure 2 - Pre and Post-Intervention Quality of Life Score for the entire sample of PWD
Carers perceived the PWD to enjoy each of the therapeutic interventions at very
different levels and Figure 3 illustrates this. Music was by far the most enjoyed
intervention (Mean = 8.00, CI's = 6.80 and 9.20), followed by Reminiscence Therapy
(Mean = 7.36, CI's = 6.15 and 8.58). The Matching Pairs therapy had a lower score
(Mean = 4.82, CI's = 3.15 and 6.49), but equal to the Exercise intervention (Mean =
4.82, CI's = 2.55 and 7.08). Whilst carers perceived PWD to have enjoyed Matching
Pairs and Exercise interventions at the same level, Figure 3 shows a greater
variance in individual enjoyment with the variance scores being 11.364 for Exercise
and 6.164 for Matching Pairs. This suggests that although as a group, PWD enjoyed
both interventions equally; as individuals however, some PWD may have enjoyed the
Exercise intervention more than the Matching Pairs.
Non-parametric Wilcoxon Signed Ranks tests revealed significant differential effects
of the interventions on the Post-Intervention QOL ratings; T= -2.934, p < .005 with a
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20. The impact of therapeutic interventions
large effect size of r = .88. The follow up testing also indicated that three out of the
four interventions and enjoyment scores had a positive effect on Post-Intervention
QOL ratings. Reminiscence therapy had a statistically significant effect on Post-
Intervention QOL ratings, T = -2.203, p = .028 with a large effect size r = .66, as did
the Matching Pairs intervention, T = -2.858, p < .005 with a large effect size of r =
.86. Exercise therapy was similarly significant, T = -2.615, p = .009 with a large effect
size of r = .78. A Spearman's correlation revealed a significant correlation between
the Music Therapy Enjoyment Scores and Post-Intervention QOL ratings (p < .004).
Figure 3 - Mean Enjoyment Scores for each Therapeutic Intervention
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21. The impact of therapeutic interventions
Quantitative Discussion
The current research aimed to test how therapeutic interventions improved the
Quality of Life for Persons with Dementia in healthcare facilities from the perspective
of caregivers. The results of statistical analysis of the data collected from intervention
sessions supported the experimental hypothesis. The analysis suggested that the
implementation of therapeutic interventions within a care home environment,
designed specifically for PWD did have a positive impact on their QOL in the
caregivers' opinion. The results do not only support the experimental hypothesis of
the current research but also support that of previous research conducted by other
researchers.
Kumar et al (2014) conducted research with 77 PWD investigating the effects of
therapeutic interventions against pharmacological interventions and found a
significant increase in the Quality of Life for the 36 PWD who participated in the
occupational therapies. This research utilised various methods of intervention
including singalongs, story-telling, physical exercises and cognitive exercises and
found significant increases in the QOL of those in the experimental group who had
participated in the interventions. This research also revealed a significant decline in
the QOL of the PWD in the control group who only received pharmacological
treatments over the course of the research. These findings are promising and
indicate the extent to how effective therapeutic methods may be in treating disorders
such as Dementia.
Graff, Vernooij-Dassen, Thijssen, Dekker, Hoefnagels & Olderikkert (2007), also
conducted research investigating the efficacy of therapeutic interventions on the
Quality of Life of People with Dementia. The researchers use trained occupational
therapists to work closely with PWD and their caregivers to choose activities that
were meaningful or enjoyable for the PWD, such as arts and crafts or music, and
optimized these activities to be tailored to the PWD's abilities by adapting materials to
make them more basic or accessible for the PWD. The activity sessions that lasted
for one hour were carried out twice a week over a period of five weeks. Upon post-
treatment measurement, Graff et al found that 49% of PWD had an improved Quality
of Life at a significant, clinical level. As well as measuring the QOL of PWD,
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22. The impact of therapeutic interventions
the QOL of the caregivers was also measured, and it was found that 54% of carers
had a higher QOL following the course of occupational therapy. Perhaps this
suggests that the benefits of therapeutic interventions stretch to formal and informal
caregivers as well as PWD, making the experience of living in care facilities easier
for PWD and subsequently improving the job of the carers. The conclusions drawn
from Graff et al's research support the current research with both studies observing
significant improvements in the QOL of PWD following the implementation of
therapeutic interventions.
Evaluation of each of the therapeutic interventions individually is reported below,
beginning with Music Therapy due to it being the most enjoyed by PWD.
Music Thera py
Lem (2015) led a study specifically investigating the effects of Music Therapy (MT)
on QOL for People with Dementia that produced similar results to the current
research. In Lem's study, 12 PWD attended music therapy sessions in groups
weekly for 20 weeks in which there was particular focus on singing, moving around
to music and improvising with musical instruments. Only three participants in Lem's
study displayed an increased QOL rating and the remaining nine participants either
demonstrated a decrease in QOL or their score remained stable. This may be due to
the way in which the intervention was conducted or individual preferences of the
PWD. The results from both the current research and Lem's study suggest that
Music Therapy has the potential to be a highly beneficial therapeutic intervention for
PWD due to its positive effects on mood, behaviour and subsequently, Quality of
Life. Similar results were found in studies conducted by Cooke et al (2010) and
Fischer-Terworth & Probst (2011) also suggesting that Music Therapy is an
extremely beneficial therapeutic method for those with Dementia due to it being an
activity that the majority can enjoy.
Reminiscence Therapy
Reminiscence Therapy (RT) is considered one of the most popular and effective
therapeutic methods for PWD alongside MT. The enjoyment scores for the RT were
consistently high and the majority of the sample enjoyed the intervention. Jo & Song
(2015) also made this observation by conducting eight RT sessions with 19 PWD,
using different themes for each session and measuring their QOL following the
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23. The impact of therapeutic interventions
interventions. Using a Life-Satisfaction Index that evaluates factors that may have an
effect on QOL such as general health, depression and independence for example,
Jo & Song identified a significant increase in QOL following the use of RT as a
therapeutic method. There is a large volume of existing research on both
Reminiscence and Music therapy investigating their efficacy and the results of the
research are promising.
Matching Pairs
Matching Pairs is a form of Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST), which is the
process of challenging and enhancing an individuals' cognitive ability in a therapeutic
way. The PWD viewed two different versions of the same objects and matched them
based on their functions, for example an old iron kettle matched with a modern,
electric kettle. Some of the PWD did enjoy this activity; however, most caregivers
reported the PWD's levels of enjoyment as low. The perceived low levels of
enjoyment may be due to some confusion experienced by the task or PWD
becoming bored during it, which may be why the Matching Pairs exercise did not
have a profound effect on the overall increase in QOL for PWD. However, in some
research where the main therapy was CST, the positive effects it had on the QOL of
PWD were significant.
Woods et al (2006) used CST, specifically Reality Orientation; cognitive games and
activities of daily living to remind the PWD of their surroundings and condition. They
also used Reminiscence as a therapeutic method for PWD, incorporating various
themes, such as films, music or holidays for example, into the activities to keep
participants stimulated and interested. The results drawn from the research
suggested that CST also has positive effects on the QOL of individuals with
Dementia. Spector et al (2003) who also measured QOL following a period of CST
found similar results and those in the experimental group taking part in the therapies
reported significantly higher QOL ratings. These promising results reflect in the
current study and may be due factors such as levels of active participation and social
interaction observed in the research.
Exercise Therapy
Potter et al (2011) conducted a meta-analysis of research that incorporated exercise
into therapeutic interventions to measure its effects on QOL for PWD. Out of the 15
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24. The impact of therapeutic interventions
studies examined, Potter et al recognised one in particular that displayed the
significant, positive impact of physical therapy on QOL, which was the research of
Williams and Tappen (2008).
Williams and Tappen implemented a 16-week programme of relatively intensive
exercise; including stretches and dancing, supervised walking outdoors with carers
or social conversation with researchers and other residents, for 45 care home
residents with Alzheimer's disease. The researchers measured levels of depression
and QOL using the Observed Affect Scale which evaluates emotions and actions,
prior to the commencement of the programme and afterwards. Upon completion,
Williams and Tappen observed significant decreases in depression and increases in
QOL of those in the exercise groups. The results of this research highlight the
potential benefits of exercise therapy as a whole, and its effectiveness in improving
not just QOL, but factors such as mood, mobility and levels of energy. Kumar et al
(2014) also included an exercise therapy as part of their therapeutic intervention
research and found similar results to that of Williams and Tappen, with significant
increases seen in physical well-being and overall QOL following implementation of
therapeutic interventions.
Williams and Tappen or Kumar found some very promising results, similarly to the
current research. Whilst the exercise therapy was perceived to be the least enjoyed
activity, many PWD did enjoy it, though some PWD participated more
enthusiastically than others did. Restrictions in mobility did not affect the ability of the
PWD to participate, yet through observation, approximately three PWD out of the
eleven did not display the energy or motivation to join in, despite being encouraged
by their caregivers. These PWD were encouraged to do what they were capable of
or what they enjoyed doing so they still had the opportunity to experience the
therapy.
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25. The impact of therapeutic interventions
Qualitative Analysis
The current research investigated the impact of therapeutic interventions on the
perceived Quality of Life of individuals with Dementia and predicted that the
interventions would have a positive effect on how caregivers perceived the QOL of
PWD. The results of statistical analysis supported this hypothesis. An additional
hypothesis was that increased involvement of the carers in the interventions would
enhance interactions and level of engagement, consequently highlighting the efficacy
of the therapies, leading to more insightful perceptions of QOL. The carers being
heavily involved in the sessions gave the PWD confidence and reassurance,
allowing them to relax and participate more freely in the activities. This led to the
PWD responding well to the interventions, which then gave better indications into
how they were enjoyed by PWD. Through meticulous analysis of transcribed session
observations, the themes identified with the assistance of an independent judge (see
Appendix J) from this provide support to both experimental hypotheses. The
examination and in-depth explanation of themes are reported below.
Memories
'Memories' was perhaps the most prominent theme identified from the intervention
sessions. Each intervention allowed the PWD to recall memories in some form, and
the memories recalled were vivid and clearly very significant for the PWD. Overall,
across the four interventions, approximately 20 memories shared with the group
were recorded; twelve of these strongly related to childhood, four were related to
early adulthood and four were unclassified. The Reminiscence Therapy, specifically
designed to stimulate long-term memory, produced the greatest amount of memories
recalled. One PWD, when looking at a photograph of an air-raid shelter, she
remembered a fond childhood memory:
"When I was wee we had an air raid shelter in the garden. It was covered in
grass and my big brother and me would climb on top of it and run about
causing trouble. Mum would come out with a wooden spoon and threaten us
with it if we didn't get off it"
A PWD remembered school holidays with her siblings:
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26. The impact of therapeutic interventions
"We spent summers at the berries. My two brothers, my sister and me would
go and spend the whole day picking hundreds of berries. We used to get a
row for pinching them! Then in the tattie holidays, we'd go to the fields near
the house and pick tatties as well. I didn't like that as much - couldn't pinch
the tatties!"
Another PWD spoke about her job:
"I worked in the mill for years. I left school and the same day my mother sent
me to the factory to get a job. I stayed there for 10 years. Oh they were long
daysI mind going home as black as the night skymost of the time!"
The Music Therapy also revived memories for the PWD; many of them knowing all of
the lyrics to the songs, as well as saying things like:
"Do you mind singing this on the way to the factory in the mornings?"
The exercise therapy also appeared to elicit memories for the PWD. A few of the
gentlemen told tales of playing football as young men and the ladies recalled doing
highland dancing and playing tennis when they were teenagers. Memory loss is the
predominant symptom of Dementia, however, when presented with stimulating
activities or materials PWD have an outstanding ability to recall events of the past
clearly and accurately.
Stimulation
The therapeutic interventions are to provide amusement, engagement and
stimulation for PWD and throughout the interventions, PWD and caregivers alike
repeatedly commented on the novelty of doing different activities. The healthcare
assistants placed emphasis on how they felt it was important for the PWD to be
experiencing more activities where they were being stimulated mentally and
physically. One carer commented:
"It's so nice to be doing different things with the residents. Usually they just sit
in front of the TV all day and you know that they're bored but it's hard to find
the time to do activities with them."
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27. The impact of therapeutic interventions
During the exercise therapy, one PWD expressed how much they were enjoying
themselves by saying:
"This is great! I just wander about all day wishing I could do something like
this"
It was clear from listening to the PWD talk during the session that they participated in
therapeutic interventions very rarely and were appreciating the effort made by their
caregivers for them to try something new. The levels of stimulation varied between
interventions; however, during Reminiscence Therapy and the Matching Pairs
exercise, the activities clearly motivated the PWD and challenged them mentally.
During the Matching Pairs exercise, one carer said this regarding a PWD:
"I could see that she was confused but when she finally understood what she
had to do she was so excited to do itI've never seen [PWD] do anything the
required her to really think and pay attention."
Another carer said this about a PWD during the Reminiscence Therapy:
"[PWD] is usually quite reserved and doesn't talk much about his life, but
looking at those old photographs really brought out a different side to him! I've
loved hearing about his childhood and his family."
The therapeutic interventions encouraged the PWD to engage with their environment
and those within it; PWD were having conversations with each other and helping one
another. The response from PWD to the interventions was considerably higher than
expected and they displayed a lot of enthusiasm, intuition and skill throughout the
sessions.
Social Interaction
Each therapeutic intervention involved a significant amount of communication
between the PWD and the care assistants. The caregivers effectively ran the
sessions, giving instructions and assisting the PWD in carrying out the activities. One
carer made an observation about the increased level of communication, saying:
"I talk to the residents every day, but it's unusual to see them talking to each
other, it's a nice thing to see."
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28. The impact of therapeutic interventions
The interventions provided an opportunity for the PWD to learn new things about one
another, and for the carers to gain an insight into the PWD's personalities and the
lives they led prior to having Dementia and being in a care facility. Another carer
said:
"Watching them [two PWD] speak about their lives when they were young and
courting their husbands was amazing. They have both lived here for ages and
have only just realised they have loads in common. It's a shame they might
not remember this but I hope they'll become friends"
It was clear that many of the PWD spent a lot of their time feeling isolated from other
PWD and carers. However, during the intervention session, a PWD made it known
how she was appreciating being included and feeling like others were interested in
what she had to say:
"I don't do things very often and I don't talk to people much...This is
goodbeing surrounded by other people with all the music and chatting
makes a fine change. The girls have been asking me questionsI like telling
stories about what I used to do growing up."
The increased levels of interaction also had a clear impact on how much the PWD
enjoyed the activities. Many of the PWD were reserved in nature and took a while to
get comfortable with the others and join in with the interventions, however, following
encouragement from carers and others in the group, PWD were more relaxed and
participated more freely. The interaction between the carers and PWD was
particularly interesting; the PWD were easily comforted and motivated by the
caregivers, and carers were at ease communicating with them. The benefits of
having the full involvement of carers in the interventions were clearly observable by
the level of social interaction during the sessions.
Relationships
When asked about their lives, PWD frequently mentioned their families and friends
as being the most important aspects. During the reminiscence therapy, every time
the PWD looked at the photographs, the majority of stories that followed heavily
involved their relationships with other people. PWD shared stories about their
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29. The impact of therapeutic interventions
childhoods, their parents, their husbands and children very fondly. The memory loss
that comes with Dementia is profound; however, memories from younger years,
particularly the fond memories, are often the last to go. One PWD recalled when she
met her husband of nearly 60 years:
"I met him at the school but when we left, we lost touch. I seen him years later
at the dancing and decided there and then - he was the one! We got married
no long after that and I wouldn't change him for all the tea in China!"
Another PWD remembered her father fondly:
"I must have only been about 10 or 11, but every night I would sit down at my
dad's feet and he would brush my hair. It was lovely and long. He would brush
it for ages and sing to me all the while"
One PWD said this about his mother:
"I was the youngest of 7. I know I was her favourite but she would never say
that. I thought she was the most beautiful thing in the world with her curly hair
and blue eyes. She always looked perfect. My mother was my best friend"
The PWD recalled these memories clearly during the Reminiscence Therapy. Often
they could not recall their birthdays, or the name of their school and many could not
recognise their children if they came to visit, but the memories they shared with
people they loved in years gone by remained intact. The emotion expressed by PWD
when they talked about their loved ones was remarkable and this highlighted this
significance of relationships for the Dementia sufferers.
Emotions
Throughout the intervention sessions, the PWD and the caregivers very freely
expressed their emotions. The theme of 'Emotions' has been split into two sub-
themes; positive emotions and negative emotions.
Positive Emotions
The majority of emotions expressed by PWD and caregivers were positive. The
PWD frequently voiced how much they were enjoying themselves. For the duration
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30. The impact of therapeutic interventions
of the intervention sessions, the PWD were generally very relaxed, carefree,
enthusiastic and joyful. When recalling memories, the PWD displayed a significant
amount of happiness and love when speaking about their lives. The interventions
produced a remarkable amount of happiness for the carers as well as PWD. The
carers remarked often of how they enjoyed being part of the interventions and having
new experiences with the PWD. The carers also became emotional when the PWD
were talking about their lives; one carer commented:
"I've never heard [PWD] talk about her family beforeshe spoke about them
with so much love and when she started tearing up that was me"
The interventions did create many positive emotions for everyone involved.
However, there were also some negative emotions displayed.
Negative Emotions
There were moments throughout the intervention sessions where there were more
negative emotions such as confusion or frustration expressed by the PWD and
carers, though these were few. Whilst trying to get everything organised for the
activities and ensuring the PWD settled for the session was stressful for the carers.
Meeting the demands of their normal routine also added pressure, however, the
carers handled this well. Carers are trained extensively to prepare them for such a
high pressure work environment which allows them to carry out their duties and
commit to the emotional and physical wellbeing of their clients (PWD) at the same
time.
The PWD were unsettled to begin with, however, after a short time they were more
comfortable and became involved in the activities. The activities produced some
adverse emotions for the PWD. Some of the activities confused the PWD and this
confusion led to frustration if they could not do it, for example, not understanding the
purpose of the Matching Pairs game. During parts of sessions when the PWD were
recalling stories, they became slightly upset or annoyed. However, these emotions
quickly subsided and feelings that were more positive replaced the negative ones
when there was a distraction provided or a change of topic. Overall, the incidence of
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31. The impact of therapeutic interventions
negative emotions was negligible and the PWD were generally very happy
throughout the sessions.
The themes identified from session observations accurately reflect the overall
experience of therapeutic interventions for PWD and their carers. All of these
elements can be crucial to a PWD's mood and should be considered when
evaluating their QOL.
Themes Sub-Themes Concepts
Memories Remembering and retelling
memories of life childhood,
family, school, work, friends,
spouses and children
Stimulation
Social Interaction
Relationships
Active stimulation of mental and
physical processes cognitive,
emotional and physical
Communication with others
conversations between PWD and
carers, explanations and requests
Relationships of the PWD
friendships, family, romantic
relationships, bonds with carers
and other PWD
Emotions 1) Positive Emotions expressed joy,
2) Negative contentedness, happiness,
excitement, pleasure, love
Emotions expressed sadness,
agitation, frustration, confusion,
loss
Table 2 - Themes identified from analysis of intervention observations
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32. The impact of therapeutic interventions
Qualitative Discussion
The researched aimed to investigate the impact of therapeutic interventions on the
Quality of Life (QOL) of People with Dementia (PWD). The research also aimed to
establish the way in which carers acknowledged the importance of therapeutic
interventions and potentially influenced their efficacy. It has already been
demonstrated how the experimental hypotheses have been supported through
statistical analysis. However, the analysis of themes derived from session
observations and comments from carers and PWD provide additional evidence to
support the research.
Thematic Analysis
The theme 'Memories' was the first to be identified and is pivotal when using non-
pharmacological treatments for PWD. The interventions provided stimulation of
semantic memory through use of familiar stimuli such as music and photographs,
which then prompted activity of the autobiographical memory of PWD. This
encouraged the PWD to recall events that were significant to them and share their
memories, which also gave them the opportunity to communicate their thoughts and
emotions. The process of reminiscing and memory recall can increase mood
significantly and subsequently, Quality of Life. Due to the profound memory loss that
is the major symptom of dementia, it is important to enable the PWD to use the
memory processes such as the semantic and autobiographical memory, that remain
in an attempt to preserve the things that essentially make them who they are.
Memories can shape an individual's personality, and for it to be lost is not just the
loss of memories, it is the loss of character and emotion, which would ultimately lead
to a decrease in Quality of Life.
Stimulation was another factor considered crucial for a therapeutic intervention to be
effective. If PWD are bored, it is likely that their Quality of Life will be lower than a
person who is being stimulated mentally and physically. A session of cognitively
stimulating activities once or twice a week such as a game, strategic physical activity
or a quiz will be highly beneficial for PWD and is time and cost-effective. Despite
suffering from memory loss and confusion, familiarity and consistency in the routines
of PWD is essential to providing them with high quality care, and stimulation is most
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33. The impact of therapeutic interventions
definitely an effective way of doing this. This suggests that in addition to memory
processes, other cognitive mechanisms such as stimulation and the responses to
stimuli must be evaluated when tailoring therapeutic interventions to the needs of
PWD.
Social Interaction is also extremely important for PWD. Very often PWD only interact
with their carers, and whilst this is still a form of contact, it can be impersonal and
rushed due to the demands placed on the carers. Spending a short while every day
engaging PWD in conversation can be highly effective in giving the PWD confidence
and reassurances, making them feel more important. The increased self-esteem can
also have a positive effect on Quality of Life. It also allows the carers to perceive any
changes, making it easier to recognise when a PWD may require therapeutic
interventions. The level of social interaction throughout the sessions was high, for
example, there was a significant amount of conversation amongst the group, more
physical contact and eye contact, and it is likely that the extent to which the PWD
engaged with the interventions was due to this. The level of engagement, such as
the length of time the PWD focused on the interventions, enthusiasm to participate,
and willingness to continue with the sessions the PWD displayed may not have been
as high had the social interactions not been as prominent as they were.
'Relationships' were identified as a factor due the frequency they were mentioned
during the interventions. PWD spoke often, and very fondly of their families and the
carers. When PWD have relatives who visit regularly in their care facility, the bonds
between them and their families are strong and the quality of the relationships is very
good. Some PWD are not as fortunate, and look upon the carers as being the
closest thing to family that they have. The connections between particular PWD and
the carers were noticeable and heart-warming. It was clear that these individuals
relied on the carers for guidance, comfort and companionship, and the carers were
more than happy to oblige by talking to them, holding their hands and giving them
reassurance. Friendships between the PWD were also visible, with some of them
spending a significant amount of time with one another out with the intervention
sessions. Having strong, healthy relationships with people who are reliable and
present consistently is important for PWD and can influence their QOL considerably.
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34. The impact of therapeutic interventions
'Emotions' was identified as a major theme due to the way in which it was a
prominent, observable factor throughout the sessions. It is impossible to analyse
each emotion observed due to the individuals displaying so many different emotions
at any given time. However, for the majority of the sessions PWD were very relaxed,
happy and full of fun, enthusiastic in their participation and enjoying the company of
other people. At times, some PWD would become confused, agitated and upset, but
carers quickly intervened, provided them with comfort and encouraged them to enjoy
themselves. To some extent, PWD experiencing these emotions was expected due
to the unpredictability of the disorder; the confusion can often leave a PWD
disorientated and scared. This was likely to be the cause of a change in routine or
the PWD experiencing something new. Emotional state is often an ever-changing
aspect of a PWD's personal experience due to the nature of dementia, so it is
difficult to determine how much of an impact emotions have on personal experience
and Quality of Life. Nevertheless, if PWD are encouraged and motivated to
participate in activities that will have a positive influence on their emotional state, it is
likely that their Quality of Life will improve significantly.
Care Assistants
The emotional state of carers is also of high importance when conducting therapeutic
interventions within a care home environment. Due to staffing levels often being
lower than the required level, care assistants are overworked, extremely tired and
stressed. Despite this, carers are at their happiest and most relaxed when the PWD
are in the same state, which is why therapeutic interventions are a fantastic non-
pharmacological treatment for PWD and to some extent, carers as well. When carers
are performing their jobs at an optimum level, they are able to complete general
duties to a high level but also focus the majority of their attention on building
relationships with the PWD. This creates harmony in what can be a stressful
environment and leads to a better established, more relaxed daily routine. Familiarity
between PWD and carers leads to a higher understanding and this is essential for
conducting therapy sessions.
The thematic analysis of intervention session observations was an effective way of
identifying the factors that were significant to PWD and need consideration when
designing and conducting therapeutic interventions for use with PWD.
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35. The impact of therapeutic interventions
General Discussion
Research investigating the Quality of Life of dementia sufferers is vast, as is the
investigation into the efficacy of non-pharmacological treatments. However, very few
examples of research using mixed therapeutic interventions to establish their effects
on Quality of Life exist at this time.
This research successfully demonstrated the effectiveness of therapeutic
interventions for improving the QOL ratings of PWD in care home environments.
Additionally, the current research also highlights the importance of the carers' role in
PWD's lives and as part of non-pharmacological interventions. As the research was
investigating QOL ratings from the carers' perspectives, they were a pivotal aspect
and their presence was crucial to the success of the intervention sessions. If the
carers had not run the sessions alongside the researcher, and an unfamiliar co-
ordinator conducted them, it is highly likely that the sessions would have not been as
successful.
Experimenter Observations
To some extent, the research allowed the experimenter to become a participant due
to the way in which the sessions ran. It was possible for the researcher to become
involved in the interventions and this allowed for more intimate, accurate
observations. Actively participating in the experiment let the researcher appreciate
the subjective experiences of the PWD and the carers in a way that may not have
been possible otherwise. This access to "social qualia", the subjective, novel
occurrences throughout the sessions, provided a deep insight into how PWD react to
therapies, their caregivers and other PWD. Whilst all these factors were observable,
and the entire group offered their thoughts and feelings openly, it was respected that
the individual "qualia" of the PWD was inaccessible due to each individual having
their own private experiences and understandings, and it was important to the
researcher that they remained that way.
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36. The impact of therapeutic interventions
Methodological Challenges
Whilst the research produced statistically significant results as well as highly
valuable qualitative information, like every other piece of research, it did have its
challenges.
The sample size in the current research was small with only three carers as
participants and eleven PWD completing the sample. Had the size of the sample
been bigger, it is likely that the statistical result would have been significant to a
higher degree. On the other hand, if the sample size increased, the level of familiarity
and confidence observed during the intervention sessions would have decreased,
limiting the way in which both PWD and carers relaxed and enjoyed themselves.
A further drawback to the research was the length of time it lasted. Due to issues
during sessions such as visitors, unsettled PWD and Doctor's visits, sometimes
sessions ceased and the remainder of interventions were carried out during the
following session. It is common to see a more significant change or result following
consistent testing over a period of several weeks. However, due to time constraints
and the aforementioned issues, this was not possible. Nevertheless, the PWD and
carers enjoyed the sessions and data gathered was still extremely valuable and
supported the experimental hypotheses.
Considering the methodological challenges encountered, future research would call
for a longitudinal design with perhaps a slightly bigger sample size and the inclusion
of a control group to compare the efficacy of non-pharmacological and
pharmacological therapies. In forthcoming research, it may also be beneficial to
experiment with the type of therapeutic interventions used during sessions with
PWD, perhaps utilising more uncommon techniques such as interactive games,
outdoor activities and pet therapy.
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37. The impact of therapeutic interventions
Conclusion
This research investigating the effects of therapeutic interventions on improving the
Quality of Life for Persons with Dementia from the perspective of their carers was
very successful and provided support to existing research in the area. Dementia is
still an enormous problem not just in the United Kingdom, but globally. Therefore it is
essential that development of effective therapeutic interventions is continued in order
to reduce the amount of money spent on pharmacological treatments, and increase
the Quality of Life for those suffering from Dementia. This research and the research
that precedes it are most definitely positive steps towards improving the lives of
People with Dementia for years to come.
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38. The impact of therapeutic interventions
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41. Appendices
Appendix A - Participant Information Sheet
PARTICIPANT INFORMATION SHEET
The impact of therapeutic interventions on improving Quality of Life for Persons with Dementia: The carer's
perspective
You are being asked to take part in a research study on how therapeutic intervention affects feelings of well-being and quality
of life of PWD residing in care homes. The aim of this research is to determine if activity therapies do improve quality of life and
enhance feelings of well-being, and if so, which activities are most effective.
This research will be conducted by Lori-Jo Curran, a 4th year Undergraduate student of BSc (Hons) Forensic Psychobiology at
the University of Abertay, Dundee and will be supervised by Dr Siobhan MacAndrew, Reader in Psychology, Division of
Psychology, University of Abertay.
In this study, PWD will be asked if they would like to participate in four different activities;
A music therapy session listening to music from the 40s, 50s & 60s, having a singalong and taking part in a follow
up discussion about the music and its respective eras.
A reminiscence session discussion of memories from childhood through to adulthood, for example war time
events, marriage, holidays.
A seated physical therapy passing a balloon or a ball to one another.
A cognitive game matching pairs
The study will be expected to last for 4 hours over four sessions with breaks as and when the PWD and participants require.
Participation in this research is voluntary and consent is required from the carers and the care home manager.
The data collected throughout the research will not contain any other personal information and complete anonymity is
guaranteed.
Participants may decide to stop being a part of the research study at any time without explanation. Participants have
the right to ask that any data you have supplied to that point be withdrawn and/or destroyed.
Participants have the right to omit or refuse to answer or respond to any question that is asked.
Participants have the right to ask questions about the research. If you do have any questions as a result of reading
this information sheet, feel free to ask the researcher at any time during the procedures.
Participation in this study involves completion of a set of questionnaires including a Pre-Activity Evaluation Questionnaire, an
Activity Evaluation Questionnaire and a 'Quality of Life' Questionnaire. The questionnaires ask questions about the day to day
life of a PWD, what they are able to do, and whether they enjoy certain activities or tasks in daily life. You will complete the
questions explaining your own opinion on whether or not the person seems to benefit from the activity. The results from this
questionnaire are completely anonymous and additional information will be available for those who wish to know more. The
researcher will not be given the name or any details about PWD.
Following a full risk assessment, there are no known risks involved in this study; all activities are completely safe and are being
carried out by a researcher with experience working with people with dementia and a supervisor with similar experience. All
activities will be carried out in secure environments, overseen by carers, ensuring the care of the resident is maintained
throughout the research.
This research has been approved by the School of Social and Health Sciences Ethics Committee, University of Abertay,
Dundee.
For any further information or if you/your relation have any questions, myself or Siobhan will be happy to answer any queries.
Please find contact details below:
Lori-Jo Curran (primary researcher):
Email - 1203411@abertay.ac.uk
Dr Siobhan MacAndrew (project supervisor):
Email - S.MacAndrew@abertay.ac.uk
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42. Appendix B - Informed Consent Form
INFORMED CONSENT FORM
Title of Project: The impact of therapeutic interventions on improving Quality of Life for
Persons with Dementia: The carer's perspective
Researcher(s): Lori-Jo Curran
Dr Siobhan MacAndrew (Project Supervisor)
You are being asked to take part in a research study on how therapeutic activities affect
feelings of well-being and quality of life of people with dementia residing within care homes.
The aim of this research is to determine if activity therapies do improve quality of life and
enhance feelings of well-being, and if so, which activities are most effective. You will be
giving your own opinions and judgements of the value of certain activities for people in the
residence.
By signing below, you are agreeing that:
You have read and understood the Participant Information Sheet
Any questions about your participation in this study have been answered
satisfactorily
You are aware of the potential risks (if any)
You are taking part in this research study voluntarily
_________________________________
Participant's Name (Printed)
_________________________________ _________________________________
Participant's Signature Date:
_______________________________ _________________________________
Name of person obtaining consent (Printed) Signature of person obtaining consent
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43. Appendix C - List of Songs & Lyrics
The impact of therapeutic interventions on improving Quality of Life for
Persons with Dementia: The carer's perspective
List of songs
Don't Sit Under The Apple Tree
It's A Long Way To Tipperary/Pack Up Your Troubles
We'll Meet Again
White Cliffs of Dover
In The Mood
You Make Me Feel So Young
Hang Out The Washing On The Siegfried Line
I Love A Lassie
Bonnie Wee Jeannie McColl
Donald Where's Your Trousers?
Loch Lomond
The Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen
Auld Lang Syne
*Music courtesy of the researcher's family's personal CD collection*
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44. Appendix D - Photographs
Appendix E - Pre-Activity Evaluation Questionnaire
PRE-ACTIVITY EVALUATION QUESTIONNAIRE
Participant Initials________
On a scale of 1-10 (1 being poor, 10 being very good), how would you rate
___________ (e.g. PWD 1's) mood today so far?
How do you think _______________ (e.g. PWD 1) would rate their Quality of Life
right now?
Does ______________ (e.g PWD 1) enjoy taking part in activities usually?
_____________
Do you feel that ________________ (e.g. PWD 1) will benefit from today's activities?
Which activity do you think _____________________ (e.g. PWD 1) will enjoy the
most?
Do you think _____________________(e.g. PWD 1) will be able to relate to any of
the activities carried out during this
session?____________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
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45. Appendix F- Activity Evaluation Questionnaire
ACTIVITY EVALUATION QUESTIONNAIRE
Participant Initials________
Activity 1 - Music Therapy
On a scale of 1 - 10, how much do you think _____ enjoyed listening to music? ___________________
What do you think _____ liked most about it? ______________________________________________
Do you think _____ would like to do it more often?
___________________________________________
Activity 2 - Reminiscence Therapy
On a scale of 1 - 10, how much do you think _____ enjoyed reminiscing?
________________________
What do you think _____ liked most about it? ______________________________________________
Do you think _____ would like to do it more often?
___________________________________________
Activity 3 - Matching Pairs
On a scale of 1 - 10, how much do you think _____ enjoyed doing matching pairs activity?
___________
What do you think ______ liked most about it?
______________________________________________
Do you think _____ would like to do it more often?
____________________________________________
Activity 4 - Seated Exercise Therapy
On a scale of 1 -10, how much do you think ______ enjoyed this activity?
_________________________
What do you think _____ liked most about it? ______________________________________________
Do you think _____ would like to do it more often?
____________________________________________
Out of all of the activities, which one do you think _____ enjoyed the most? _____________________________
Can you tell me why you think they enjoyed that one in particular? _________________________________
On a scale of 1-10, how do you think _____ would rate their quality of life following the activities?
______________
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46. Appendix G - DEMQOL-PROXY Questionnaire
REVISED DEMQOL-PROXY QUESTIONNAIRE Smith et al (2005)
IN THE LAST WEEK, IN YOUR OPINION HOW OFTEN HAS THIS PERSON FELT; (circle
which option applies)
1. Happy? Alot Quite a bit A little Not at all
2. Worried? Alot Quite a bit A little Not at all
3. Relaxed? Alot Quite a bit A little Not at all
4. Frustrated? A lot Quite a bit A little Not at all
5. Sad? Alot Quite a bit A little Not at all
6. Full of energy? Alot Quite a bit A little Not at all
7. Confident? Alot Quite a bit A little Not at all
8. Lonely? Alot Quite a bit A little Not at all
9. Comfortable? Alot Quite a bit A little Not at all
10. Fed up? Alot Quite a bit A little Not at all
IN THE LAST WEEK, IN YOUR OPINION HOW WORRIED HAS THIS PERSON BEEN
ABOUT;
1. How they feel about themselves? A lot Quite a bit A little Not at all
2. People not listening to them? Alot Quite a bit A little Not at all
3. Getting help when they need it? Alot Quite a bit A little Not at all
4. Their health? Alot Quite a bit A little Not at all
5. Getting on with their family and friends? A lot Quite a bit A little Not at all
IN THE LAST HOUR, IN YOUR OPINION HOW HAS THIS PERSON FELT?
CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHY YOU HAVE THIS OPINION?
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47. THINKING ABOUT THE LAST WEEK AND TODAY, HOW WOULD YOU RATE THIS
PERSON'S QUALITY OF LIFE OVERALL?
Very good Good Fair Poor
DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO MENTION
ABOUT THIS PERSON AND THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
- 42 - | Pag e
48. Appendix H - Questionnaire Scoring Sheet
Pre-Activity Evaluation Questionnaire
PWD Mood Score (1- QOL Rating Enjoyment Total
10) Ratings
1
23456789
1011121314
15
Average Score
Activity Evaluation Questionnaire
PWD Music ReminiscenceCognitive Exercise QOLRating Total
1
23456789
1011121314
15
Average
Score
ActivityPreferredbymajority______________________________________
- 43 - | Pag e
49. Revised DEMQOL Questionnaire Analysis
A lot = 4
Quite a bit = 3
A little = 2
Not at all = 1
Scores between;
60-45 High QOL
45-30 Medium QOL
30-15 Low QOL
Qualitative Analysis will be conducted for further interpretation of the therapeutic
interventions and their effects and benefits.
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50. Appendix I - Debrief Sheet
DEBRIEFING SHEET
The impact of therapeutic interventions on improving Quality of Life for Persons with
Dementia: The carer's perspective.
For many PWD, residing in long-term care can decrease their feelings of well-being and their
perception of their Quality of Life (QOL). It has been proposed that activity therapies are an
effective way to improve these aspects of a PWD's life and are being implemented more and
more in care homes and specialised facilities.
The purpose of this study was to investigate how activity therapies can potentially enhance
feelings of well-being and improve Quality of Life for Persons with Dementia (PWD), and
which activities are the most effective in doing so. Decisions about the lives of people with
dementia are normally made by people taking care of them based on their own judgements.
Hence in this experiment I am asking you for your opinions.
Four types of activities were carried out with the residents. You provided your opinion on the
extent to which an individual benefitted from the activities. The results from this were
analysed by the researcher to determine if the activities did have a positive effect on the
PWD mood so far as your opinion was concerned.
It is hoped that the results of this study will allow for further investigation into which activities
can enhance the Quality of Life for PWD over a longer period of time, ensuring that the
needs of PWD are met with the use of the most beneficial methods.
Please feel free to contact myself (Lori-Jo) or Dr MacAndrew if you require any more
information regarding the study.
Lori-Jo Curran (primary researcher):
Email - 1203411@abertay.ac.uk
Dr Siobhan MacAndrew (project supervisor):
Email - S.MacAndrew@abertay.ac.uk
WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION AND CO-OPERATION
- 45 - | Pag e
51. Appendix J - Themes Table
Themes
Memories
Stimulation
Sub-Themes Concepts
Remembering and retelling memories of
life childhood, family, school, work,
friends, spouses and children
Active stimulation of mental and physical
processes cognitive, emotional and
physical
Social Interaction Communication with others
Relationships
conversations between PWD and carers,
explanations and requests
Relationships of the PWD friendships,
family, romantic relationships, bonds with
carers and other PWD
Emotions 3) Positive Emotions expressed joy,
4) Negative contentedness, happiness, excitement,
pleasure, love
Emotions expressed sadness,
agitation, frustration, confusion, loss
- 46 - | Pag e
52. Project Reference Number: SHS_T_2015-16_284
Project Title: The impact of therapeutic interventions on improving Quality of Life for
Persons with Dementia: The carer's perspective
Proposer: Lori-Jo Curran
Matriculation number: 1203411
Programme: BSc (Hons) Forensic Psychobiology, Stage 4
Supervisor: Siobhan MacAndrew
The above Project has been granted Full ethical approval.
Additional Conditions:
The amendments address the Committee's concerns. The student may be advised to pilot
test the study on one person to iron out any procedural concerns with supervisor - but we
leave that at their discretion.
NB: you are not required to resubmit your application if you have been given
Additional Conditions.
Standard Conditions:
These apply to all Research Ethics applications
i
ii
iii
iv
The Proposer must remain in regular contact with the project supervisor.
The Supervisor must see a copy of all materials and procedures prior to
commencing data collection.
If any substantive changes to the proposed project are made, a new ethical approval
application must be submitted to the Committee. Completed forms should be
resubmitted through the Research Ethics Blackboard course.
Any changes to the agreed procedures must be negotiated with the project
supervisor.
Failure to comply with these conditions will result in ethical approval being revoked by the
Ethics Committee.
SHS Research Ethics Committee
13.11.15
- 47 - | Pag e
53. PS1000a/PS1099a: Honours project data sign off form
By signing this form you are confirming that you have checked and verified your student's
data (e.g. raw data, completed questionnaires, Superlab/E:Prime outputs, transcriptions
etc).
Thisshouldbesignedoffandmustbeincludedinthestudent'sproject
Studentname:LORI-JOCURRAN
Supervisor:SIOBHANMACANDREW
Supervisorsignature:
Date:17MARCH2016
- 48 - | Pag e
