ABSTRACT

Introduction : This research tries to provide the information needed for succeeding research through investigating the subjects, research designs, analysis methods and results, and limits of the existing literature in order to look at the applicational effects of a multisensory environment for the aged with dementia showing abnormal behavior. Body : The materials of the research were collected by retrieving research items in the areas of 'dementia, multiple sensory, snoezelen, and Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD)' from the data base of PubMed. Among the collected materials, 12 research results are suggested regarding the application of a multisensory stimulation program to the aged with dementia showing abnormal behavior in terms of subject, research design, measurement tool, cure method and result, analysis method, and limit. All the researches that applied a multisensory stimulation program to the aged with dementia showing abnormal behavior show a positive effect, and 10 researches present a statistically meaningful result. According to the comparison, the group of multisensory stimulation programs shows more meaningful difference than a control group that was normally protected and managed, and a comparison group that was applied by activities in awareness level, defiant behavior, depression symptoms, apathetical behavior, aggressive behavior, and interaction ability. However, some of the results show a meaningful difference only during the mediation period or present the re-appearance of abnormal behavior during a follow-up survey. That is, these results do not show a meaningful outcome compared to the results before the mediation period. Conclusion : The multisensory stimulation program shows a positive effect toward the reduction of abnormal behavior of the aged with dementia, but follow-up research to maintain the positive effect is needed.