The efficacy of complementary therapies for agitation among older persons in residential aged care: a systematic review

Review Questions/Objectives: The following question guides the systematic review: What is the efficacy of complementary therapies in the symptom management of agitation in older people living in a RACF? This systematic review aims to identify the efficacy of complementary therapy interventions in reducing the frequency and severity of agitated behaviour among older people in RACF. Specific questions to be addressed include: What type of complementary therapies are been implemented for the symptom management of agitation in older people residing in a RACF? Which complementary therapies are identified as being effective in reducing the frequency and severity of agitation in older people in a RACF? Inclusion Criteria: Types of Participants: Older people living in RACFs will be included regardless of cognitive ability, gender or ethnicity and existing co-morbities. Trials of RCTs investigating symptom management of agitation in older people over the age of sixty five will be examined. Trials undertaken in settings other than RACFs will be excluded. Types of Interventions: The types of interventions to be explored in this review are complementary therapies include: aromatherapy exercise massage music therapy therapeutic touch These interventions are of interest as they are non invasive, have minimal interactions with current medications and require minimal time, resources and training by nurses. Types of Outcome Measures: The outcome measures to be explored include severity and frequency of agitated behaviours. Outcomes will be measured with a variety of standardised and non standardised measurement tools using observation, with long term and short term measures. Measures will review the findings of frequency and severity of agitation.