The effect of expressive physical touch on patients with dementia

Int J Nurs Stud. 1999 Jun;36(3):235-43. doi: 10.1016/s0020-7489(99)00019-x.

Abstract

This study explored the effect of expressive physical touch with verbalization (EPT/V) on anxiety and dysfunctional behavior in patients with dementia using a one group repeated measures design. The study findings are that (1) anxiety is lower immediately following EPT/V and (2) EPT/V causes decreasing episodes of dysfunctional behavior. Therefore, it behooves caregivers and family members to use expressive physical touch and verbalization when caring for these patients, since it is cost-effective, simple to learn and practice and it is most effective in improving and maintaining patient's high quality of life.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Alzheimer Disease / nursing*
  • Alzheimer Disease / psychology*
  • Alzheimer Disease / therapy
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Anxiety / nursing
  • Anxiety / psychology
  • Anxiety / therapy
  • Communication
  • Female
  • Geriatric Nursing / methods
  • Heart Rate
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Massage*
  • Mental Status Schedule
  • Middle Aged
  • Nurse-Patient Relations*
  • Quality of Life
  • Social Behavior
  • Social Behavior Disorders / nursing
  • Social Behavior Disorders / psychology
  • Social Behavior Disorders / therapy
  • Stress, Psychological / nursing
  • Stress, Psychological / psychology
  • Stress, Psychological / therapy
  • Touch*
  • Verbal Behavior