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Reality Orientation and Dementia: A Controlled Trial of Two Approaches

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

I. G. Hanley
Affiliation:
Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Morningside Terrace, Edinburgh, Scotland
R. J. McGuire
Affiliation:
University Department of Psychiatry, Morningside Park, Edinburgh
W. D. Boyd
Affiliation:
Royal Edinburgh Hospital

Summary

Classroom Reality Orientation was investigated with a sample of dements drawn from a psychogeriatric hospital and an old people's home. Treatment effects were examined on a range of cognitive and behavioural measures, and compared with the effects of a specific behaviourally directed orientation training in the ward. Class RO improved cognitive functioning but not behaviour, irrespective of degree of dementia. Highly significant behavioural change was demonstrated for ward behaviour orientation training and this technique is not only cheaper but has potential in managing dements.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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