2020 Volume 13 Issue 1 Pages 24-33
Purpose : To explore and extract concepts that have been difficult to evaluate quantitatively regarding acupuncture care with a rubbing tool for the elderly with dementia.
Methods : Based on participant observation, care records and interviews with caregivers, we extracted the relevant descriptions on behavior and scene in acupuncture care for the elderly with dementia in a group home. Then we consolidated them into some keywords in terms of similar category. Using these keywords, we qualitatively and integratively interpreted the meaning of the acupuncture care.
Results : The extracted descriptions on responses and changes of 11 elderly residents who received the acupuncture care were consolidated into nine keywords : “comfort”, “anger reduction”, “mood improvement”, “additional pleasure”, “communication”, “acquisition of sociability”, “pain relief”, “recalling prospective memory”, and “outlet for frustration”.
Conclusion : We found that “comfort” and “pain relief” brought by the physical properties of rubbing acupuncture and “communication” with the acupuncturists developed and extended to other concepts expressed with the relevant keywords. In terms of these concepts, it is suggested that acupuncturists, by means of the rubbing acupuncture tool, can play a complementary role in daily standard care for the elderly with dementia.
