Logo image
Back
Dementia‐related restlessness: relationship to characteristics of persons with dementia and family caregivers
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Dementia‐related restlessness: relationship to characteristics of persons with dementia and family caregivers

Natalie G. Regier and Laura N. Gitlin
International journal of geriatric psychiatry, v 33(1)
Jan 2018
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/gps.4705
PMID: 28332736
Featured in Collection :   UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
url
https://europepmc.org/articles/pmc6964249View
Accepted (AM)Open Access (License Unspecified),  Open

Abstract

behaviors caregiver dementia neuropsychiatric symptoms restlessness
Objective Dementia‐related restlessness is commonly endorsed by caregivers but not well understood. This study examines differences in characteristics (demographics, cognitive status, physical function, pain, and mood) of persons with dementia whose caregivers endorse restlessness versus those who do not. We also examine the relationship of restlessness to caregiver well‐being including burden, upset with behaviors, mastery, and depressive symptomatology. Methods We combined baseline data from three caregiver intervention studies of community‐dwelling persons with dementia who exhibited neuropsychiatric symptoms (n = 569) as measured by the Agitated Behaviors in Dementia Scale. We conducted bivariate correlations and independent t‐tests by using the Agitated Behaviors in Dementia Scale restlessness item. Results Nearly 65% (n = 367) of dementia caregivers reported restlessness. There were no significant differences between those with and without (n = 202) reported restlessness concerning functional status (physical or cognitive). However, persons with restlessness had significantly higher pain scores (p < 0.01), were more likely to be on behavioral medications (p < 0.001), and had more neuropsychiatric symptoms as compared with persons without restlessness (M = 11.11, nonrestless; M = 6.61, restless) (p < 0.001). Caregivers of persons with dementia‐related restlessness reported greater burden (p < 0.001), behavioral upset (p < 0.001), depression (p < 0.001), and lower mastery providing care (p < 0.01) compared with caregivers of persons without dementia‐related restlessness. Conclusions Restlessness is a common neuropsychiatric symptom that appears to be associated with poorer functioning in persons with dementia and greater distress in their caregivers. Further research is needed to understand the unique contributions of restlessness to care burden and quality of life of persons with dementia, as well as ways to address this distressing symptom. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Metrics

8 Record Views
16 citations in Web of Science
16 citations in Scopus

Details

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This publication has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

#3 Good Health and Well-Being

InCites Highlights

Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:

Web of Science research areas
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Gerontology
Psychiatry
Logo image