Abstract
Objectives
Montessori-based activities are becoming a popular approach for the care of older
adults living with dementia. The aim of this study was to systematically assess the
quality of the research examining the benefits of Montessori-based activities for
persons with dementia.
Methods
Six peer-reviewed databases were systematically searched for all relevant articles
published until April 2015. Included articles were peer-reviewed studies published
in English that employed Montessori-based activities with persons with dementia. Methodological
quality was assessed by 2 independent raters using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database
Scale or the Downs and Black evaluation tool. Levels of evidence were assigned to
the study design using a modified Sackett scale.
Results
One hundred fifty articles were identified, and 14 were selected for inclusion. Level-2
evidence examining the impact of Montessori-based activities on eating behaviors suggested
that difficulties with eating could be reduced with Montessori training. There was
limited level-4 evidence for the benefits of Montessori-based activities on cognition,
wherein benefits appeared to be specific to lower-level cognitive abilities including
memory and attention. Finally, there is level-1 (n = 1), level-2 (n = 3), and level-4
(n = 6) evidence for the benefits of Montessori-based activities on engagement and
affect, whereby constructive engagement and positive affect were heightened.
Discussion
Overall, there is a strong level of evidence for the benefits of Montessori-based
activities on eating behaviors and weak evidence for the benefits on cognition. Evidence
for the benefits of Montessori-based activities on engagement and affect are mixed.
Future research is needed to examine the long-term benefits of Montessori-based activities.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: November 14, 2015
Footnotes
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
Identification
Copyright
© 2016 AMDA – The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
