Inspired by the celebration of the annual World Hugging Day on 12 February 2022, the association Alzheimer Larissa in Greece proceeded with three relevant actions, aiming to inform about the therapeutic effect of hugging, as a non-pharmacological intervention for patients. On 18 January, Maria-Aristea Naka informed caregivers of people with dementia about the therapeutic results of embracing the human body, focusing on people with dementia. She presented different types of hugging and measured the benefits of its application as a non-pharmacological intervention and interaction: it was found to influence behavioural disorders, reduced stress, improved mood and generally the quality of life of people with dementia.
Carers who intended to apply the empathic embrace had the opportunity to participate in a relevant discussion at the end of the event. On 20 January, Athanasia Tambouri and Maria-Aristea Naka applied an intervention aiming to improve the mood of patients through the presentation of images of people, animals and birds hugging. On World Hugging Day, 12 February, Alexandra Mano and Konstantina Bethava conducted a computer-assisted mental exercise workshop on a group of patients. The participants had to select on the screen the occasion during which they gave more than one hug. The participants were enthusiastic to use the screen, circling the event of their choice and then telling their related stories.