Octary Tiara, Fajarini Melati, Arifin Hidayat, Chen Ruey, Sung Chien-Mei, Chang Li-Fang, Wang Chia-Hui, Banda Kondwani Joseph, Chou Kuei-Ru
School of Nursing, College of Nursing, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; School of Nursing, Politeknik Kesehatan Kementerian Kesehatan Pontianak, Indonesia.
School of Nursing, College of Nursing, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Muhammadiyah Jakarta, Indonesia.
J Prev Alzheimers Dis. 2025 May;12(5):100091. doi: 10.1016/j.tjpad.2025.100091. Epub 2025 Feb 21.
Multisensory stimulation defined as engaging multiple senses (visual, olfactory, auditory, gustatory, and tactile), has been demonstrated to improve older adults' general health. However, its effectiveness in mitigating neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPSs) and cognitive deficits in older adults with dementia remains unclear. This meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy of multisensory stimulation in ameliorating NPSs and improving overall cognitive function in older adults with dementia.
We searched eight databases to September 2024 without restriction. Older adults with all stages of dementia aged 65 years and above were included. To estimate the pooled effect size, Hedge's g (g) values were calculated using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed using the Q, I², and τ² statistics. Subgroup and meta-regression analyses were performed to identify moderators. Publication bias was assessed using Begg and Mazumdar's rank correlation and Egger's linear regression tests.
This review included 16 studies (974 patients). Multisensory stimulation significantly reduced agitation (g= -0.96; 95 %CI= -1.44, -0.48), apathy (g= -1.27; 95 %CI= -2.08, -0.46), and depression (g= -0.28; 95 %CI= -0.48, -0.07). Moreover, the intervention significantly improved overall cognitive function (g= 0.30; 95 %CI= 0.09, 0.52). However, multisensory stimulation had no significant effect on anxiety (g= -0.81; 95 %CI= -1.79, 0.17). Significant heterogeneity was observed in agitation, apathy, and anxiety. Moreover, meta-regression analyses by educational level (junior high school and above) revealed significant moderators in agitation.
Multisensory stimulation shows promise as a non-pharmacological intervention for older adults with dementia. It may effectively mitigate NPSs and improve cognitive function into clinical practice as an alternative therapeutic.
多感官刺激被定义为调动多种感官（视觉、嗅觉、听觉、味觉和触觉），已被证明可改善老年人的总体健康状况。然而，其在减轻痴呆症老年人的神经精神症状（NPSs）和认知缺陷方面的有效性仍不明确。本荟萃分析评估了多感官刺激在改善痴呆症老年人的NPSs和提高总体认知功能方面的疗效。
我们无限制地检索了截至2024年9月的八个数据库。纳入65岁及以上各阶段痴呆症的老年人。为了估计合并效应量，使用随机效应模型计算了Hedge's g（g）值。使用Q、I²和τ²统计量评估异质性。进行亚组和元回归分析以确定调节因素。使用Begg和Mazumdar的等级相关以及Egger的线性回归检验评估发表偏倚。
本综述纳入了16项研究（974例患者）。多感官刺激显著降低了激越（g = -0.96；95%CI = -1.44，-0.48）、冷漠（g = -1.27；95%CI = -2.08，-0.46）和抑郁（g = -0.28；95%CI = -0.48，-0.07）。此外，该干预显著改善了总体认知功能（g = 0.30；95%CI = 0.09，0.52）。然而，多感官刺激对焦虑没有显著影响（g = -0.81；95%CI = -1.79，0.17）。在激越、冷漠和焦虑方面观察到显著的异质性。此外，按教育水平（初中及以上）进行的元回归分析显示，激越存在显著的调节因素。
多感官刺激有望作为痴呆症老年人的一种非药物干预措施。作为一种替代治疗方法，它可能有效地减轻NPSs并改善认知功能，应用于临床实践。
