In a recent paper, Mustafa Atee, Ineka Whiteman, Rebecca Lloyd and Thomas Morris look deeper into two cases of childhood dementia (Sanfilippo syndrome and CLN3 Batten disease), which are rare, fatal neurodegenerative disorders, that can develop in childhood or adolescence. With their paper, the research team aimed to address the gaps in the literature and clinical experience regarding psychosocial interventions for managing behaviours and psychological symptoms of dementia in childhood dementia. In their study, the researchers describe the implementation of multimodal person-centred psychosocial interventions and their effectiveness in alleviating behaviours and psychological symptoms in childhood dementias based on two cases.
The research team found that physical and verbal aggression, irritability, and lability seem to be primary behaviours and psychological symptoms of dementia in childhood dementia. Moreover, those behaviours and symptoms seem to be affected by factors such as pain, caregiver approach, and environmental stimuli. After the implementation of multimodal person-centred psychosocial interventions, such as sensory stimulation or structured routines, significant improvements in behaviours and psychological symptoms of dementia, as measured by the Neuropsychiatric Inventory-Questionnaire and qualitative feedback from caregivers, were observed. The interventions seem to be effective in reducing irritability and aggression, highlighting their potential benefits in managing behaviours and psychological symptoms of dementia. The study was published in Palliative Care & Social Practice. To learn more about the paper follow the link:
