Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-rdxmf Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-25T18:09:40.988Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

The effect of a lollipop on vocally disruptive behavior in a patient with frontotemporal dementia: a case-study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2014

W. F. Fick*
Affiliation:
De Waalboog “Joachim en Anna”, Centre for Specialized Geriatric Care, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
J. P. van der Borgh
Affiliation:
De Waalboog “Joachim en Anna”, Centre for Specialized Geriatric Care, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
S. Jansen
Affiliation:
De Waalboog “Joachim en Anna”, Centre for Specialized Geriatric Care, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
R. T. C. M. Koopmans
Affiliation:
De Waalboog “Joachim en Anna”, Centre for Specialized Geriatric Care, Nijmegen, the Netherlands Department of Primary and Community Care, Centre for Family Medicine, Geriatric Care and Public Health, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Dr. W. F. Fick, Eldery Care Physician, De Waalboog “Joachim en Anna”, Centre for Specialized Geriatric Care, Groesbeekseweg 327, 6523 PA Nijmegen, the Netherlands. Phone: +31 243228264; Fax: +31 24 3230076. Email: [email protected].

Abstract

A problematic and disturbing behavior which can develop in people with dementia, is vocally disruptive behavior (VDB). To date, the study of VDB is underdeveloped and with only a limited knowledge base. Medications commonly used in VDB have limited benefits and specific risks in patients with dementia. This report details the case of a patient with frontotemporal dementia with VDB, which responded very well by providing a lollipop. Subsequently, we pose theory-based hypotheses in order to try to explain the beneficial effect of this intervention. This may contribute to a better understanding of VDB and possible treatment strategies.

Type
Case Report
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2014 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Allali, G., Kressig, R. W., Assal, F., Herrmann, F. R., Dubost, V. and Beauchet, O. (2007). Changes in gait while backward counting in demented older adults with frontal lobe dysfunction. Gait Posture, 26, 572576. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2006.12.011.Google Scholar
Cariaga, J., Burgio, L., Flynn, W. and Martin, D. (1991). A controlled study of disruptive vocalizations among geriatric residents in nursing homes. Journal of American Geriatric Society, 39, 501507.Google Scholar
Cohen-Mansfield, J. and Werner, P. (1997). Typology of disruptive vocalizations in older persons suffering from dementia. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 12, 10791091.Google Scholar
Cohen-Mansfield, J., Werner, P., Hammerschmidt, K. and Newman, J. D. (2003). Acoustic properties of vocally disruptive behaviors in the nursing home. Gerontology, 49, 161167. doi:10.1159/000069173 69173 [pii].Google Scholar
Cohen-Mansfield, J., Libin, A. and Marx, M. S. (2007). Nonpharmacological treatment of agitation: a controlled trial of systematic individualized intervention. The Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Science and Medical Sciences, 62, 908916.Google Scholar
Draper, B. et al. (2000). Case-controlled study of nursing home residents referred for treatment of vocally disruptive behavior. International Psychogeriatrics, 12, 333344.Google Scholar
Dubois, B., Slachevsky, A., Litvan, I. and Pillon, B. (2000). The FAB: a Frontal Assessment Battery at bedside. Neurology, 55, 16211626.Google Scholar
Ikeda, M., Brown, J., Holland, A. J., Fukuhara, R. and Hodges, J. R. (2002). Changes in appetite, food preference, and eating habits in frontotemporal dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, 73, 371376.Google Scholar
Lai, C. K. Y. (1999). Vocally disruptive behaviors in people with cognitive impaitment: current knowledge and future research directions. American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias, 14, 172180. doi: 10.1177/153331759901400304.Google Scholar
Matteau, E., Landreville, P., Laplante, L. and Laplante, C. (2003). Disruptive vocalizations: a means to communicate in dementia? American Journal of Alzheimers Disease and Other Dementias, 18, 147153.Google Scholar
Mcminn, B. and Draper, B. (2005). Vocally disruptive behaviour in dementia: development of an evidence based practice guideline. Aging and Mental Health, 9, 1624.Google Scholar
Miller, B. L., Darby, A. L., Swartz, J. R., Yener, G. G. and Mena, I. (1995). Dietary changes, compulsions and sexual behavior in frontotemporal degeneration. Dementia, 6, 195199.Google Scholar
Nagaratnam, N., Patel, I. and Whelan, C. (2003). Screaming, shrieking and muttering: the noise-makers amongst dementia patients. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 36, 247258.Google Scholar
Neary, D. et al. (1998). Frontotemporal lobar degeneration: a consensus on clinical diagnostic criteria. Neurology, 51, 15461554.Google Scholar
Okamoto, M., Dan, H., Clowney, L., Yamaguchi, Y. and Dan, I. (2009). Activation in ventro-lateral prefrontal cortex during the act of tasting: an fNIRS study. Neuroscience Letters, 451, 129133. doi:10.1016/j.neulet.2008.12.016.Google Scholar
Rascovsky, K. et al. (2011). Sensitivity of revised diagnostic criteria for the behavioural variant of frontotemporal dementia. Brain, 134, 2456–77. doi: 10.1093/brain/awr179.Google Scholar
Von Gunten, A., Alnawaqil, A. M., Abderhalden, C., Needham, I. and Schupbach, B. (2008). Vocally disruptive behavior in the elderly: a systematic review. International Psychogeriatrics, 20, 653672. doi:10.1017/S1041610208006728.Google Scholar
Walther, S., Goya-Maldonado, R., Stippich, C., Weisbrod, M. and Kaiser, S. (2010). A supramodal network for response inhibition. Neuroreport, 21, 191195. doi: 10.1097/WNR.0b013e328335640f.Google Scholar
Whall, A. L., Gillis, G. L., Yankou, D., Booth, D. E. and Beel-Bates, C. A. (1992). Disruptive behavior in elderly nursing home residents: a survey of nursing staff. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 18, 1317.Google Scholar