An investigation of the efficacy of training care home staff in a formulation based functional analysis approach to understanding stress and distress behaviours with dementia
Year: 2016
Type: dissertation
Study design: Clinical Trial
Abstract: Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of a package of evidencebased \nperson-focused training for formal carers working with people with dementia living in \ncare homes. Specifically evaluating the efficacy of a new Formulation based Functional \nAnalysis (FFA) approach to understanding stress and distress behaviours (SAD-behaviours) \nwith dementia. \nDesign: The study employed an open trial design, with three independent groups: two \ntraining interventions and a waiting list control. \nMethod: Forty eight care staff were recruited from care homes across Cambridgeshire. \nParticipants in intervention group one attended 15 hours of training (CAMTED), participants \nin intervention group two attended 21 one hours of training including a FFA module in \nunderstanding SAD-behaviours (CAMTED-Plus). The waiting list control consisted of staff \nwaiting to receive training. All participants completed outcome measures on knowledge and \nattitudes to dementia, burden, job satisfaction and perceived frequency of SAD-behaviours \nand confidence in managing SAD-behaviours at baseline and post-intervention. \nResults: Due to the small sample size the waiting list group was excluded from data analyses. \nResults showed that there were no statistically significant differences between CAMTED and \nCAMTED-Plus on any of the outcomes at the end of the intervention. Within-group analyses \nof pre-post change found statistically significant differences for CAMTED in the degree of \nhopefulness about dementia and CAMTED-Plus in attitude to dementia, extent to which a \nperson-centred approach is adopted and levels of depersonalisation. Positive feedback was \nprovided on the use of the jigsaw training tool and verbal feedback indicated participants’ \npositivity about the training. \nConclusion: The results provide preliminary support for the utility of the FFA approach as a \ntraining intervention. Although the results are limited due to the methodological \nshortcomings, they provide a range of evidence in support of the FFA approach, which may \nbe built on in the future.
Author: L. Pfeiffer
Language: English
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2532591582