Exploring the effect of foot massage on agitated behaviours in older people with dementia: A pilot study: Foot massage for agitation in dementia
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AIM: To explore the effects of foot massage on agitated behaviours in older people with dementia living in long-term care. METHODS: Seventeen men and 5 women (mean age 84.7 years), with a diagnosis of dementia and a history of clinically significant agitation, received a 10-minute foot massage each day for 14 days. The short form of the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory (CMAI-SF) and the Revised Memory and Behavior Problems Checklist (RMBPC) were completed at baseline, post-test and 2-weeks follow up. RESULTS: CMAI-SF and RMBPC scores were significantly reduced at post-test and remained significantly lower than baseline at follow up. CONCLUSION: This study provides preliminary evidence suggesting that limited short-duration foot massage reduces agitation and related behavioural problems in people with dementia, and that these behaviour changes are maintained after the massage ceases. A randomised controlled trial is required to confirm these findings.
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Evidence suggests that massage and touch may relax older people with dementia.
“Evidence suggests that massage and touch may relax older people with dementia, reduce some BPSD, such as pacing, wandering and resisting care, improve appetite, sleep and communication problems, and, to some extent, counteract cognitive decline (244–250).”
From The Multidisciplinary Approach to Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia. A Narrative Review of Non-Pharmacological Treatment (2018) · cites this paper as [247]
Evidence suggests that massage and touch may reduce some BPSD, such as pacing, wandering and resisting care.
“Evidence suggests that massage and touch may relax older people with dementia, reduce some BPSD, such as pacing, wandering and resisting care, improve appetite, sleep and communication problems, and, to some extent, counteract cognitive decline (244–250).”
From The Multidisciplinary Approach to Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia. A Narrative Review of Non-Pharmacological Treatment (2018) · cites this paper as [247]
Evidence suggests that massage and touch may to some extent counteract cognitive decline.
“Evidence suggests that massage and touch may relax older people with dementia, reduce some BPSD, such as pacing, wandering and resisting care, improve appetite, sleep and communication problems, and, to some extent, counteract cognitive decline (244–250).”
From The Multidisciplinary Approach to Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia. A Narrative Review of Non-Pharmacological Treatment (2018) · cites this paper as [247]
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- Authors
- Moyle, W., Johnston, A. N. B., & O'Dwyer, S. T.
- Affiliations
- Griffith University (AU)
- Corresponding author
- Moyle, Wendy
- Venue
- Australasian Journal on Ageing
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2011-04-26
- Volume
- 30
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 159-161
- ISSN
- 0726-4240 (ISSN-L)
- 1440-6381
- OpenAlex
- W1554591614
- Cited by
- 39
- References
- 23
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 11 · 2021: 1 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 1.53
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- Australian Journal on Ageing (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Griffith Research Online (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Geriatric Care and Nursing Homes
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine › Intensive Care Unit Cognitive Disorders
- Keywords
- foot massage, dementia, agitation, behavioral problems, older adults, long-term care, Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory, non-pharmacological treatment
- MeSH terms
- Age Factors, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Aging, Dementia, Female, Foot, Homes for the Aged, Humans, Long-Term Care, Male, Massage, Nursing Homes, Pilot Projects, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Psychomotor Agitation, Queensland, Time Factors, Treatment Outcome, Checklist
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