Applied Multi-Sensory Stimulation (AMSS) approach for the Dementia and Alzheimer's disease population: Case study

This case study was conducted in the in-patient geriatric behavioral unit at Bethesda Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota. Its goal was to develop the application of Applied Multi-Sensory Stimulation (AMSS) for patients suffering from Dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Specifically, it was designed to examine whether the Applied Multi-Sensory Stimulation (AMSS) approach with selected art materials as sensory arousals can deliver therapeutic benefits---both promising emotional and marked behavioral rehabilitation changes to populations with severe Dementia and Alzheimer's. On the clinical side, improved quality of life for the Dementia population is proved by improving emotional tone, increased interaction with others, and a reduction in problematic behavior. On the other hand, the study highlights the possibility of reduced healthcare costs, reflected by possible reduction in medication as well as medical staff time in managing aggressive patients. Thus, this case study emphasized both the benefits to the patients as well as potential "bottom line" savings for the institution. Other findings of the AMSS study included a trigger discovery period, and the importance of the therapist's direction, both of which call attention to the necessary direct involvement of the researcher as a therapist in the approach to dementia and Alzheimer's participants with art therapy, representing an advance over past uses of art therapy with this population.; Both qualitative and quantitative data were gathered in order to obtain the fullest possible analysis and understanding of the apparent effectiveness of the AMSS approach. The qualitative data, gathered through the use of thick descriptions with the ATLAS-ti software program, provided insight into the typical clinical concerns of possible emotional and behavioral changes. A paired t-test of before and after Agitated Behavior Scale (ABS) measurements of participants showed a significant effect of the AMSS approach at a statistically significant level. The results of both the qualitative and the quantitative outcomes provided a deeper insight into the research questions.