AOTA

Earn CE Credit With AJOT Articles!

Learn about tested treatment strategies by reading AJOT articles in your area of practice. Become an evidence-based practitioner and demonstrate your knowledge by passing the course exam.  Articles have been selected for their relevance to practice, fresh ideas, and strong evidence supporting treatment and the distinct value of OT.

Credit: .1 CEUs (1.25 NBCOT PDU’s/1 contact hour)

Authors

Lou Jensen, OTD, OTR/L, is Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy, Creighton University, Omaha, NE; loujensen@creighton.edu

René Padilla, PhD, OT/L, FAOTA, LMHP, is Vice Provost for Global Engagement and Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy, Creighton University, Omaha, NE.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE. This systematic review evaluated the effectiveness of environment-based interventions that address behavior, perception, and falls in the home and other settings for people with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and related major neurocognitive disorders (NCDs).

METHOD. Database searches were limited to outcomes studies published in English in peer-reviewed journals between January 2006 and April 2014.

RESULTS. A total of 1,854 articles were initially identified, of which 42 met inclusion criteria.

CONCLUSION. Strong evidence indicates that person-centered approaches can improve behavior. Moderate evidence supports noise regulation, environmental design, unobtrusive visual barriers, and environmental relocation strategies to reduce problematic behaviors. Evidence is insufficient for the effectiveness of mealtime ambient music, bright light, proprioceptive input, wander gardens, optical strategies, and sensory devices in improving behavior or reducing wandering and falls. Although evidence supports many environment-based interventions used by occupational therapy practitioners to address behavior, perception, and falls in people with AD and related major NCDs, more studies are needed.

Learning Objectives

Following this course, the learner will be able to: 

1)      Understand the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and the costs to society of AD and related major neurocognitive disorders (NCDs). Describe behaviors commonly seen in people with these conditions and impact on occupational participation.

2)      List various strategies and environmental modifications that are used to address behavior, perception and falls for individuals with AD and major NCDs.

3)      Explain the efficacy of environment-based interventions that address behavior, perception and falls in the home/other settings for individuals diagnosed with AD and related major NCDs and implications for occupational therapy practice. 

Exam questions for this course authored by Marie Morreale, OTR/L, CHT

Learning Level: Advanced

Target Audience: Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants

Content Focus: Category 1: Domain of OT; Category 2: OT Process: Intervention

CE Find Key Words:  Falls, AD, Alzheimer’s disease, neurocognitive disorders