Abstract
[Purpose] A group recreation intervention was conducted for elderly subjects with dementia, and changes in their behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) were investigated in a randomized controlled trial. [Subjects and Methods] Forty-eight residents of a care facility for the elderly who had dementia were randomly divided into two groups. The intervention group (n=23) participated in a group recreation intervention jointly conducted by physical and occupational therapists twice a week for 3 months. The control group (n=25) participated in recreation supervised by care-workers over the same period, at the same time and frequency as the intervention group. Comparison of the two groups was performed using two-way factorial analysis of variance. [Results] Significant interactions were found between measurement items related to BPSD and QOL. [Conclusion] The results suggest that it is possible to reduce BPSD by conducting group recreation interventions for elderly persons with dementia residing in care facilities.
