Impact of doll therapy on life of people living with dementia

a systematic literature review

Authors

  • Nataša Mlinar Reljić University of Maribor, Faculty of Health Sciences, Žitna ulica 15, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
  • Zvonka Fekonja University of Maribor, Faculty of Health Sciences, Žitna ulica 15, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4224-8843
  • Jasna Mulej Medical center Rogaška – Zdravstvo d.o.o., Zdraviliški trg 9, Rogaška Slatina, 3250 Rogaška Slatina, Slovenia
  • Sergej Kmetec University of Maribor, Faculty of Health Sciences, Žitna ulica 15, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5601-0940
  • Majda Pajnkihar University of Maribor, Faculty of Health Sciences, Žitna ulica 15, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6298-045X

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14528/snr.2019.53.3.2974

Keywords:

doll, older people, nursing care, nurses

Abstract

Introduction: Doll therapy is a non-pharmacological approach in managing patients who suffer from dementia that reduces spiritual and emotional distress and agitation, and improves communication. The purpose of the systematic literature review was to present psychological, social and spiritual effects of doll therapy on people with dementia.
Methods: A systematic literature review was used. The search was conducted in databases CINAHL, Science Direct and PubMed. Original scientific articles published since 2001 were included. Scientific articles with inadequate content or population, review articles and articles in languages that were not in English were excluded. The following search keywords were used: 'doll therapy', 'doll', 'dementia', 'spiritual', 'psychological', 'social', 'aspect' and 'nursing'. From a total of 135 results, 10 articles were included in the final analysis. Data was analyzed using the content analysis method.
Results: Three content categories were developed: (1) Connection; (2) Social contacts; (3) Well-being and comfort. The results show the importance of connection and social contact, and highlight the need for wellbeing. These are important psychosocial and spiritual aspects of people with dementia.
Discussion and conclusion: We have found that doll therapy in nursing people with dementia is an effective and useful approach that has a beneficial effect on their spiritual and emotional well-being. The approach encourages interaction of people with dementia with staff and with others. Therefore, from the viewpoint of providing psychosocial and spiritual care of people with dementia, the approach is appropriate and recommended.

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Author Biographies

Nataša Mlinar Reljić, University of Maribor, Faculty of Health Sciences, Žitna ulica 15, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia

Lecturer, Msc

Zvonka Fekonja, University of Maribor, Faculty of Health Sciences, Žitna ulica 15, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia

Assistant, BSc, Msc

Jasna Mulej, Medical center Rogaška – Zdravstvo d.o.o., Zdraviliški trg 9, Rogaška Slatina, 3250 Rogaška Slatina, Slovenia

BSc

Sergej Kmetec, University of Maribor, Faculty of Health Sciences, Žitna ulica 15, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia

Assistant, BSc, MSc

Majda Pajnkihar, University of Maribor, Faculty of Health Sciences, Žitna ulica 15, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia

Professor, PhD, RN, FAAN

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Published

2019-09-15

How to Cite

Mlinar Reljić, N., Fekonja, Z., Mulej, J., Kmetec, S., & Pajnkihar, M. (2019). Impact of doll therapy on life of people living with dementia: a systematic literature review. Slovenian Nursing Review, 53(3), 211–220. https://doi.org/10.14528/snr.2019.53.3.2974

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Review article

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