Download The effect of the Sonas programme on communication

The effect of the Sonas programme on
communication
Sr. Benedicte Strøm
PhD candidate
Dublin 15th May 2017
Background
Communication difficulties
Behaviour
Need for belonging
Psychosocial interventions
Non-pharmacological interventions /treatments
Psychosocial interventions/methods
Behavioraloriented
Emotionoriented
 Habit training
 Reminiscence
 Communication
 Validation
 Supportive
Psychotherap
training
 Behavioral
therapy
 Simulated
presence
Cognitionoriented
 Reality
orientation
 Cognitive
retraining
Stimulationoriented
 Acupressure/Reflexology
 Aromatherapy/Massage
 Light therapy
 Music therapy/Music based
 Animal/pet/doll/toy therapy
 The Sonas programme
 Snoezelen
 Sensory garden
Psychosocial interventions as
the first choice
•Addressing the underlying problems
•Concerns about the side-effects of
antipsychotics in dementia
•Antipsychotics might mask the actual
need
Review of sensory stimulation
The effect of the Sonas programme
Elements of the Sonas programme
Hearing
Sight
Touch
Taste
Smell
What is sensory stimulation?
“Uses everyday objects to
arouse one or more of the
five senses with the goal of
evoking positive feelings”.
(Alzheimers.net)
Why sensory stimulation?
Lack of stimulation
As the dementia progresses, the need for
stimulation increases
Awaken latent memories
Cont….
Changes in how they interpret what they see,
hear, taste, feel and smell
Less able to activate themselves
Awaken latent memories and abilities
The use of sensory stimulation to
improve communication
◦ Meet basic human needs
◦ Increase quality of life
«Communication becomes the
crucial difference between
isolation and social connectedness,
between dependence and
independence and between
withdrawal and fulfilment»
(Lubinski in (Beasley & Davis, 1981)
Previous research on the
Sonas programme
Nine previous studies
Difficult to compare
Sample size
Length of intervention period and
frequency
Methodological weaknesses
Nursing
homes
Dublin: 3
Laois: 1
Louth: 1
Meath: 1
Residents
 120 residents
 93 women and 27 men
 Mean age – 84.8 years
The majority had severe dementia
MMSE mean score – 9
A moderate degree of communication ability
HCS mean score - 22
105 completed the study
Sonas group
Control group
Reading group
Number of Sonas sessions
48
34
32
45
44
36
Average attendance: 39.8
The Holden Communication Scale
General effect on communication
Possible reasons behind the effect
• Extra multi-sensory stimulation
• Extra attention
Aspects of communication
Limited attention
given to how
cognitive function
affects the different
aspects of
communication
Effect on aspects of communication
• Interest in past events
• General knowledge
• Humour
• Pleasure
• Attempts at communication
Effect according to dementia severity
A significant effect between the Sonas group and
the reading group for participants with severe
cognitive decline
Conclusion
• Significant improvement in the Sonas group
• Effect on some aspects of communication
◦ Interest in past events
◦ General knowledge
◦ Humour
◦ Pleasure
◦ Attempts at communication
• Significant effect on people with severe dementia