Authors: (including presenting author): :
Lee TK(1), Lee PY(2), Chan KS(3), Wong CK(4)
Affiliation: :
(1)Department of Psychiatry, Tai Po Hospital, (2)Department of Orthopaedic Rehabilitation, Tai Po Hospital, (3)Department of Medicine, Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital, (4)Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, Tai Po Hospital
Introduction: :
Doll therapy, based on attachment theory, is a non-pharmacological intervention involves giving a doll to an individual with dementia to care for, to induce feeling of secure and calm by fulfilling attachment needs. This paper aims to illustrate nurses’ perception on doll therapy, which were qualitative findings from a mixed-method research, involved hospitalized patients with dementia receiving doll therapy.
Objectives: :
To explore perception among nursing staff towards doll therapy.
Methodology: :
Qualitative approach was adopted. There were 12 study-wards from Department of Medicine in AHNH; Departments of Medicine and Geriatrics, Orthopaedic Rehabilitation and Psychiatry in TPH. The data collection period was from 14/1/19 to 4/12/20. Convenience sampling was employed. In the study’s qualitative segment, all nurses in the study-wards were included; nursing students were excluded. A temporary drop-box in ward was used to collect questionnaires. Nurses who consented to participate were needed to complete a semi-structured questionnaire with 2 questions: 1) ‘Please describe the impact that doll therapy had on patients with dementia after its implementation’; 2) ‘What is your overall impression of using dolls with patients with dementia?’ Written narratives returned from nurses were read and re-read to synthesize regularities and inconsistencies, thus, to identify common themes.
Result & Outcome: :
Twenty-one nurses returned completed questionnaires. 3 common themes were identified.
1)“Doll therapy improves patients’ mood”.
Many nurses reported doll therapy calmed the patients, reduced agitation and anxiety. Some reported the intervention improved depressive mood, happiness, appetite, and interactions with others.
2)“Doll therapy makes the care easier”.
Some nurses observed that doll therapy reduced attention seeking and disturbing behavior, also reduced need for restraint. Nurses perceived that it was easier to take care of the patient. ‘… help patients keep calm, reduce burden of health care worker, reduce use of restraint.’
3)“Doll therapy’s effect varies”.
Many nurses perceived the therapeutic effect depends on how much the patient was involved. ‘Doll therapy for dementia patient is good idea to calm patients’ mood although it may not work to every patient’. Interestingly, a nurse added, doll therapy’s effect varies, some patients would be calm just having the dolls near them without touching the dolls.
Doll therapy’s encouraging therapeutic value for mood and behavior could be most manifested if a patient with dementia enjoys the time being with the doll.
