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Persons of dementia may have an increased need for physical contact because their cognition and language capabilities are impaired. They maintain, however, their emotions and sense of touch. Some theorists have indicated that the use of touch produces alleviates anxiety and functional behaviors in patients with dementia.
However, little is known about the behavioral responses, when demented patients are received the different types of touch. This study examined the characteristics of physical touch received from caregivers and the frequency and intensity of the dysfunctional behaviors in patients with dementia. The sample for the present study was composed of 22 demented residents in dementia care unit in N hospital in Taejon. Residents were repeatedly observed and measured, on the average, 4 times using a convenient time sampling. Data from 82 observations were utilized in the statistical analysis. Repeated measures ANOVA was utilized to analyze the data.
The types of touch occurring during the caregiver - patient interactions were task touch (32.9%), expressive touch (26.8%), and concurrent type of touch (11%). Dysfunctional behaviors were manifested less frequent and intensive when residents were being received the expressive touch than being received any other types of touch. The types of touch are differentially related to the frequency and intensity of dysfunctional behaviors: The scores of dysfunctional behaviors were significantly different between the different types of touch (F=7.42, p= .001). The findings that residents exhibited fewer dysfunctional behaviors when receiving expressive touch suggests that expressive touch can act as a soothing and comforting form of communication. |
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