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American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias logoLink to American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias
. 2006 Jun-Jul;21(3):147–155. doi: 10.1177/1533317506288949

Effects of the Serial Trial Intervention on Discomfort and Behavior of Nursing Home Residents With Dementia

Christine R Kovach 1, Brent R Logan 2, Patricia E Noonan 3, Andrea Matovina Schlidt 4, Jessica Smerz 5, Michelle Simpson 6, Thelma Wells 7
PMCID: PMC10833286  PMID: 16869334

Abstract

This study tested the effectiveness of the Serial Trial Intervention (STI), an innovative clinical protocol for assessment and management of unmet needs in people with late-stage dementia. A double-blinded randomized experiment was conducted in 14 nursing homes with 114 subjects. The treatment group had significantly less discomfort than the control group at posttesting and more frequently had behavioral symptoms return to baseline. The group of nurses using the STI also showed more persistence in assessing and intervening than control group nurses did. There was a statistically significant difference between the groups in the use of pharmacological, but not nonpharmacological, comfort treatments. Results suggest that the STI is effective and that effective treatment of discomfort is possible for people with late-stage dementia.

Keywords: dementia, agitation, prevention, pain, dementia

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Contributor Information

Christine R. Kovach, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, ckovach@uwm.edu .

Brent R. Logan, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Patricia E. Noonan, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Andrea Matovina Schlidt, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Jessica Smerz, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Michelle Simpson, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Thelma Wells, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

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