The Impact of Using Measurements of Electrodermal Activity in the Assessment of Problematic Behaviour in Dementia.

BACKGROUND

A major and complex challenge when trying to support individuals with dementia is meeting the needs of those who experience changes in behaviour and mood.

AIM

To explore how a sensor measuring electrodermal activity (EDA) impacts assistant nurses' structured assessments of problematic behaviours amongst people with dementia and their choices of care interventions.

METHODS

Fourteen individuals with dementia wore a sensor that measured EDA. The information from the sensor was presented to assistant nurses during structured assessments of problematic behaviours. The evaluation process included scorings with the instrument NPI-NH (Neuropsychiatric Inventory-Nursing Home version), the care interventions suggested by assistant nurses to decrease problematic behaviours, and the assistant nurses' experiences obtained by focus group interviews.

RESULTS

The information from the sensor measuring EDA was perceived to make behavioural patterns more visual and clear, which enhanced assistant nurses' understanding of time-related patterns of behaviours. In turn, this enhancement facilitated timely care interventions to prevent the patterns and decrease the levels of problematic behaviour.

CONCLUSION

With the addition of information from the sensor, nursing staff could target causes and triggers in a better way, making care interventions more specific and directed towards certain times throughout the day to prevent patterns of problematic behaviours.