Comparative efficacy of non-pharmacological interventions on behavioural and psychological symptoms in elders with dementia: A network meta-analysis

Abstract

Aim: To explore the best non-pharmaceutical interventions for improving the behavioural and psychological symptoms in elders with dementia.

Design: Bayesian network meta-analysis.

Methods: A comprehensive electronic literature search was performed in five English databases and four Chinese databases to identify relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that were published up to 31 October 2019.

Results: A total of 41 RCTs were included in this network meta-analysis involving 5 different non-pharmacological interventions: therapeutic recreation (TC), reminiscence therapy (RT), behaviour therapy (BT), massage therapy (MT) and individualized nursing (IN).The results of network meta-analysis showed that individualized nursing was the best in improving depression, cognitive function, and activities of daily living of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia. Behaviour therapy was the best in improving anxiety symptoms. Reminiscence therapy was the best in improving neuropsychiatric symptoms.

Keywords: behavioural and psychological symptoms; dementia; network meta-analysis; non-pharmacological interventions.