TY - JOUR
T1 - Investigating the effects of impairment in non-verbal communication on neuropsychiatric symptoms and quality of life of people living with dementia
AU - Khan, Zunera
AU - Da Silva, Miguel Vasconcelos
AU - Nunez, Kayleigh Marie
AU - Kalafatis, Chris
AU - Nowicki, Steven
AU - Walker, Zuzana
AU - Testad, Ingelin
AU - Francis, Paul
AU - Ballard, Clive
N1 - Funding Information:
We acknowledge the support of Jean Beh and Jemuwem Eno‐Amooquaye in the data collection and editorial assistance of this manuscript. We thank the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King's College London for supporting the Care Home Research Network infrastructure that supported the conduct of this study. This study represents independent research funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King's College London. The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR, or the Department of Health and Social Care.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 The Authors. Alzheimer's & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of Alzheimer's Association.
PY - 2021
Y1 - 2021
N2 - Introduction: People living with dementia in nursing homes have complex needs; impairments in cognition, communication, and daily function; neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS); and poor quality of life (QoL). The current study examines impairments in non-verbal communication as a potential driver of NPS and QoL. Methods: One hundred nursing home residents with dementia were assessed using the Emory Dyssemia Index (EDI), Neuropsychiatric Inventory Nursing Home version (NPI-NH), Quality of Life in Alzheimer's Disease (QoL-AD) at baseline, 12-, and 24-week follow-up. Results: The quantile regression (0.5) model indicated that impairment of non-verbal communication was independently associated with the severity of NPS (P =.001) and proxy reported QoL (P <.05), levels of agitation (P <.05), and professional caregiver burden (P <.05). Discussion: These results highlight a novel potential approach to improve NPS and QoL using retained elements of non-verbal communication, particularly for people with severe dementia.
AB - Introduction: People living with dementia in nursing homes have complex needs; impairments in cognition, communication, and daily function; neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS); and poor quality of life (QoL). The current study examines impairments in non-verbal communication as a potential driver of NPS and QoL. Methods: One hundred nursing home residents with dementia were assessed using the Emory Dyssemia Index (EDI), Neuropsychiatric Inventory Nursing Home version (NPI-NH), Quality of Life in Alzheimer's Disease (QoL-AD) at baseline, 12-, and 24-week follow-up. Results: The quantile regression (0.5) model indicated that impairment of non-verbal communication was independently associated with the severity of NPS (P =.001) and proxy reported QoL (P <.05), levels of agitation (P <.05), and professional caregiver burden (P <.05). Discussion: These results highlight a novel potential approach to improve NPS and QoL using retained elements of non-verbal communication, particularly for people with severe dementia.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85128054954&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1002/trc2.12172
DO - 10.1002/trc2.12172
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85128054954
SN - 2352-8737
VL - 7
JO - Alzheimer's and Dementia: Translational Research and Clinical Interventions
JF - Alzheimer's and Dementia: Translational Research and Clinical Interventions
IS - 1
M1 - e12172
ER -
