Multisensory Environment-Based Occupational Therapy for Alzheimer's Patients

Summary

This study aims to examine the effects of a multisensory environment-based occupational therapy intervention on sensory processing, cognitive status, behavioral and psychological symptoms, and caregiver burden in individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Non-pharmacological approaches in Alzheimer's management have been shown to slow functional decline, reduce behavioral symptoms, and improve caregivers' well-being. Multisensory environments provide visual, auditory, tactile, proprioceptive, vestibular, olfactory, and gustatory stimuli to support sensory integration and enhance engagement, particularly in individuals with cognitive and communication difficulties. The study will be conducted using a randomized controlled design and will include individuals aged 65 years and older with moderate-stage Alzheimer's disease and their primary caregivers. The intervention will be implemented over four weeks with two sessions per week. Outcome measures will include the Adult/Adolescent Sensory Profile,Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment-Geriatric version, Neuropsychiatric Inventory, and Zarit Caregiver Burden Inventory. The study is expected to contribute to the evidence base supporting sensory-based occupational therapy interventions in dementia care.

Conditions

• Alzheimer s Disease
• Occupational Therapy
• Rehabilitation
• Caregiver Burnout
• Behavioral and Psychiatric Symptoms of Dementia
• Sensory Processing Disorder
• Cognitive

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Multisensory Environment-Based Occupational Therapy

Participants will receive a multisensory environment-based occupational therapy intervention designed to expose them to structured sensory experiences. The intervention will last 4 weeks, delivered twice per week, for a total of 8 sessions, each lasting approximately 30 minutes. Sessions will be supportive and exploratory rather than directive. Before the intervention, each participant's sensory preferences, personal history, and cognitive status will be assessed to individualize the session content. Each session will follow a three-part structure consisting of preparation, main activity, and closing. During the main activity, the therapist will accompany the participant, facilitate engagement, and provide graded sensory options. The intervention will incorporate visual, auditory, tactile, proprioceptive, vestibular, olfactory, and taste stimuli. Examples include colored lighting, projected images, music, vibration tools, textured materials, movement-based activities, familiar scents

BEHAVIORAL

Occupational therapy

The control group will not participate in any multisensory environment-based interventions. Instead, they will receive a directive occupational therapy program focused on cognitive stimulation and promoting independence in daily living activities. The intervention will last 4 weeks, with two sessions per week, totaling 8 sessions, each approximately 30 minutes. These sessions will not include purposeful multisensory experiences and will follow a structured, cognitively oriented approach tailored to the participant's abilities.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Hacettepe University

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-05-10

Primary Completion

2025-06-01

Completion

2026-06-30

Countries

• Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations