Environmental modification for treatment of agitation in Alzheimer's patients

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Kittur, Smita D.^{; *} | Ruskin, Paul

Affiliations: Veterans Administration Maryland Health Care System, University of Maryland School of Medicine, MD, USA

Correspondence: [*] Perry Point VA Medical Center, Perry Point, MD 21902, USA. Tel.: +1 410 642 2411 (ext. 6175); Fax: +1 410 642 1875; E-mail: kittursmitad@baltimoreva.gov

Abstract: Agitation in patients with Alzheimer's disease is a common behavior problem in middle stages of the disease. The treatment of agitation at present mostly focuses on pharmacological intervention. The patients in the two case studies presented here showed agitated behavior due to mirror self-misperception. The agitation was measured by Cohen-Mansfield test one week before and after the intervention. The intervention consisted of covering mirrors accessible to the patients, which completely alleviated their agitation. This intervention illustrates the great benefits to be gained by awareness of practical solutions to overcome environmental stressors, since the simple non-pharmcological changes avoided unnecessary medication with attendant problems of drug interactions and side effects.

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease, mirror misidentification, agitated behavior

DOI: 10.3233/NRE-1999-12308

Journal: NeuroRehabilitation, vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 211-214, 1999