Reducing agitative behaviours of nursing home tenants with psychiatric disorders

“A program using environmental manipulation, music therapy activities, and the Somatron© Vibroacoustic Chair to reduce agitation behaviors of nursing home residents with psychiatric disorders”

Mercado, Chelsey Sigmon (author); Mercado, Eduardo (author).

Music therapy perspectives24. 1 (2006): 30-38.

Abstract:

Describes the effect of a six-month program of multiple interventions of environmental noise reduction, controlled background music, individualized receptive and active music therapy, and vibroacoustic sessions with the Somatron on agitation among nursing home residents with psychiatric disorders. After environmental intervention, three residents not responding to the changes were referred to music therapy. An assessment instrument, the Somatron Placement Matrix, was developed to assign residents to individualized music therapy, Somatron sessions, or a combination of the two. Results indicated an 82% reduction in accidents and incidents, a 91% reduction of PRN medication, a 36% reduction in STAT orders by physicians, and a reduction of unplanned staff absences of 44%. Individualized music therapy sessions resulted in a 100% decrease in two identified agitation behaviors, a 71% decrease in one identified behavior, and an 11% decrease in one behavior. Baseline agitation behaviors were absent in the Somatron sessions; positive behaviors of closing eyes during sessions, coherent verbalizations during sessions, and positive verbalizations increased.