Introduction

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills and,
eventually, the ability to carry out the simplest tasks. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is one of the most
common causes of dementia (NIH). People with this condition presents with various cognitive symptoms
but what is apparent is that they become more aggressive as the disease gets worse. Several drugs are
used to improve the symptoms, but do not stop AD progression. Therefore, the rationale is to reduce
aggression among Alzheimer’s disease patients. This paper aims to identify the relation between
interventions and aggression among patients with Alzheimer’s disease, hence the best treatment
intervention that can be employed to stop aggression among them.

According to a study done, aggression occurs in half of persons diagnosed with dementia and is
associated with more rapid cognitive decline, increased risk of abuse, and caregiver burden. Moreover,
aggression results in earlier nursing home placement and contributes significantly to the costs of long-
term care. In the NDB model, physiological need states, psychological need states, and quality of the
physical and social environment can precipitate or trigger aggression (Dettmore et al 2009).

The purpose of this paper is to determine how intervention techniques and treatments helps prevent or
reduce aggression symptoms among Alzheimer’s patients. An evaluation of the available research is
commenced to find the best evidence-based practice.

Methodology

Population; Alzheimer’s patients

Intervention; Treatment

Comparison; No Treatment

Outcomes; Aggression

Selected criteria

The study carried out following the inclusion criteria that comprises of (1) Patients diagnosed with
Alzheimer’s disease, (2) Patients undergoing treatment for Alzheimer’s disease (3) Patients with the
disease and above 18 years of age (4) The peer-reviewed journals published in English (5) Observational
studies, cohort studies and all RCTs (prospective or retrospective) studies. The exclusion criteria comprise
of (1) Patients not diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease (2) Patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease
who did not consent to take part in the study (3) Patients below 18 years of age.

Search methods

A systematic literature search between Jan 1986 and Jan 2023, was carried out with the use of various
databases which included MEDLINE, PubMed, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, EMBASE. Various search terms

and their synonyms were utilized during the search. These terms and their synonyms include; ‘’
Alzheimer’s’’ [MeSH Terms] OR ‘‘Alzheimer’s’’ [All Fields] OR ‘‘Alzheimer’’ [All Fields]) OR (‘‘Dementia’’
[All Fields] OR ((‘‘Intervention’’ [MeSH Terms] AND (‘‘intervention’’ [MeSH Terms] OR ‘‘interventions’’ [All
Fields]))) AND (‘‘Aggression’’ [MeSH Terms] AND (‘‘Aggression’’ [All Fields] OR ‘‘Aggression’’ [All Fields].
 The found searches were evaluated from of their references lists in order to identify more valuable
studies

Result

The database search acknowledged 581 papers which were evaluated by their abstract and titles review.
Four studies from this search are listed in the table below;

Reference Design Study Population Test group Control group Results

Majić RCT Nursing home 65 residents 27 Animal assisted therapy is a promising
et al residents option for the treatment of
(2013) agitation/aggression and depression in
patients with dementia.
Kim Retrospectiv Patients aged ≥50 170 None As the dementia stage worsens,
et al e design years, diagnosed neurological symptom clusters in BPSD serve as a
(2021) with or suspected patients medium between ADL and IADL
for AD suspected and degradation and for the increase in
diagnosed caregivers' burden
with AD
Millán- Randomized Alzheimer's 754 studies None This review suggests that music
Calenti controlled disease (AD) therapy is optimal for the management
et al trials (RCTs) patients aged 65 of agitation in institutionalized patients
(2016) years and above. with moderately severe and severe AD,
particularly when the intervention
includes individualized and interactive
music
Svansdotti RCT (case- Patients in two 38 patients 12 The study showed a significant
et al control) nursing homes with reduction in activity disturbances in the
(2006) and two moderate or music therapy group during a 6-week
psychogeriatric severe period measured with the Behavior
wards Alzheimer's Pathology in Alzheimer's Disease Rating
disease Scale (BEHAVE-AD).

Conclusion

In summary, several studies have been done trying to identify how various interventions impact on
aggression due to Alzheimer’s disease. More studies need to b carried so the appropriate cure and
intervention for aggression could be found.

References

Dettmore D, Kolanowski A, Boustani M. Aggression in persons with dementia: use of nursing theory to
guide clinical practice. Geriatr Nurs. 2009 Jan-Feb;30(1):8-17. doi: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2008.03.001.
PMID: 19215808; PMCID: PMC3365866.

Boustani M, Ham RJ. Alzheimer disease and other dementias. In: Ham RJ, Sloane PD, Warshaw GA,
Bernard MA, Flaherty E, editors. Primary care geriatrics: a case-based approach. 5. 2007. pp. 219–236.

https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/coping-agitation-and-aggression-alzheimers-disease
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-alzheimers-disease