An intervention to reduce care‐resistant behavior in persons with dementia during oral hygiene: a pilot study |
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| Authors: | Rita A. Jablonski PhD CRNP Barbara Therrien PhD RN FAAN Ellen K. Mahoney RN DNS FGSA Ann Kolanowski PhD RN FAAN Mia Gabello BS RN Alexandra Brock BS RN |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Assistant Professor, School of Nursing, Penn State University, University Park, Pennsylvania;2. Associate Professor, University of Michigan School of Nursing, Ann Arbor, Michigan;3. Associate Professor, Department Chair, William F. Connell School of Nursing, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts;4. Elouise Ross Eberly Professor, School of Nursing, Penn State University, University Park, Pennsylvania;5. Graduate Student, School of Nursing, Penn State University, Pennsylvania. |
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| Abstract: | The primary purpose of this pilot study was to test the feasibility of an intervention designed to reduce care‐resistant behaviors (CRBs) in persons with moderate‐to‐severe dementia during oral hygiene activities. The intervention, Managing Oral Hygiene Using Threat Reduction (MOUTh), combined best oral hygiene practices with CRB reduction techniques. Oral health was operationalized as the total score obtained from the Oral Health Assessment Tool (OHAT). CRB was measured using a refinement of the Resistiveness to Care Scale. Seven nursing home residents with dementia received twice daily mouth care for 14 days. The baseline OHAT mean score of 7.29 (SD = 1.25) improved to 1.00 (SD = 1.26, p < .001); CRB improved from 2.43 CRBs/minute (SD = 4.26) to 1.09 CRBs/minute (SD = 1.56, t = 1.97, df 41, p= .06). The findings from this pilot study suggest that the MOUTh intervention is feasible and reduced CRBs, thus allowing more effective oral care. |
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| Keywords: | oral hygiene dementia nursing home residents care‐resistant behaviors |
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