Sensory Rooms for Patients with Dementia in Long-Term Care: Clinical and Cost-Effectiveness, and Guidelines

Details

Files
Project Status:
Completed
Project Line:
Health Technology Review
Project Sub Line:
Summary with Critical Appraisal
Project Number:
RC0999-000

Question


  1. What is the clinical effectiveness of sensory rooms for patients with dementia in long-term care?

  2. What is the cost-effectiveness of sensory rooms for patients with dementia in long-term care?

  3. What are the evidence-based guidelines regarding the use of sensory rooms for patients with dementia in long-term care?


Key Message

Based on the evidence identified in this review, it is not possible to make a definitive conclusion regarding the effectiveness of sensory rooms compared to other treatment modalities for improving symptoms in individuals with dementia. Generally in the short term, there appeared to be some improvements with therapy using multisensory stimulation environment such as Snoezelen, however the improvements were not significantly different compared with other treatment modalities.No study assessing the cost-effectiveness of sensory rooms for patients with dementia in long-term care was identified.Two evidence-based guidelines recommended several non-pharmacological interventions for individuals with dementia, including multisensory stimulation environments.