Training and support for nursing home staff reduced neuroleptic drug use and did not increase aggression in residents with dementia
Q Does a training and support intervention for nursing home staff reduce use of neuroleptic drugs in elderly residents with dementia?
METHODS
Design:
cluster randomised controlled trial.
Allocation:
concealed.
Blinding:
blinded (outcome assessor).
Follow up period:
12 months.
Setting:
12 nursing homes registered to accept people with dementia in London, Newcastle, and Oxford, UK.
Patients:
349 residents (median age 82 y, 63% men) of nursing homes that had ⩾25% of residents with dementia who were taking neuroleptic drugs.
Intervention:
drug prescriptions of residents were reviewed at baseline. The consulting psychiatrist wrote to prescribing physicians at each home, recommending cessation of psychotropic drugs prescribed for >3 months and drug discontinuation when behavioural symptoms had resolved. 6 nursing homes (181 residents) were allocated to training and support delivered to nursing home staff by a psychologist, occupational …
