Effectiveness of Interventions Designed to Modify and Maintain Perceptual Abilities in People With Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias Lori Letts, Jacqueline Minezes, Mary Edwards, Julie Berenyi, Kathy Moros, Colleen O’Neill, Colleen O’Toole KEY WORDS  Alzheimer disease  evidence-based practice  occupational therapy  perception  perceptual disorders Lori Letts, PhD, OT Reg. (Ont.), is Associate Professor and Assistant Dean, Occupational Therapy Program, School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario. Jacqueline Minezes, MSc (RS), OT Reg. (Ont.), is Rehabilitation Clinical Coordinator, Halton Healthcare Services, Oakville, Ontario. Mary Edwards, MHSc, OT Reg. (Ont.), is Associate Clinical Professor, School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario. Julie Berenyi, OT Reg. (Ont.), is Occupational Therapist, Hamilton Health Sciences, St. Peter’s Hospital, Hamilton, Ontario. Kathy Moros, OT Reg. (Ont.), is Occupational Therapist, Hamilton Health Sciences, St. Peter’s Hospital, Hamilton, Ontario. Colleen O’Neill, OT Reg. (Ont.), is Occupational Therapist, McMaster Family Health Team, Hamilton, Ontario. Colleen O’Toole, MSc (OT), OT Reg. (Ont.), is Occupational Therapist, CBI Home Health, Hamilton, Ontario. Address correspondence to Rene ´ Padilla, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, Office of Academic and Student Affairs, Criss III Building, Suite 154, School of Pharmacy and Health Professions, Creighton University, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE 68178; rpadilla@creighton.edu An evidence-based review was undertaken to answer the question, “What is the evidence for the effect of interventions designed to modify and maintain perceptual abilities on the occupational performance of people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias?” A systematic search of electronic databases and application of inclusion and exclusion criteria guided the selection of 31 articles. Each article was critically appraised, and the evidence was synthesized. Some interventions use remaining perceptual abilities to enable people to find their way in a facility and decrease attempts at exiting. Preliminary evidence has supported use of visual stimulation and barriers. We found some evidence for the use of auditory stimuli and group therapy that aim to change perceptual abilities. Research with high-level evidence is required to validate these findings. Evidence on the benefits of SnoezelenÒ is not conclusive for occupational performance outcomes; further research to justify its use as an occupational therapy intervention may be warranted. Letts, L., Minezes, J., Edwards, M., Berenyi, J., Moros, K., O’Neill, C., et al. (2011). Effectiveness of interventions designed to modify and maintain perceptual abilities in people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 65, 505–513. doi: 10.5014/ajot.2011.002592 T he objectives of this review were to systematically search the literature and then critically appraise and synthesize the applicable evidence to address the focused question, “What is the evidence for the effect of interventions designed to modify and maintain perceptual abilities on the occupational performance of people with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and related dementias?” Background and Statement of Problem AD is a common form of dementia that affects >5 million people residing in the United States (Alzheimer’s Association, 2010). It is characterized by progressive changes in cognition that affect a person’s occupational performance, eventually leading to significant disability. Occupational performance refers to a person’s ability to engage in activities of daily living (ADLs), work, leisure, and social participation (American Occupational Therapy Association, 2008). Occupa- tional therapists working in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and the com- munity assess people with AD and related dementias and make recommendations on interventions that enable optimal participation in life. Perceptual impairments in people with AD have varying effects on occupational performance, depending in part on the stage of the disease. Deficits in perception experienced by people with AD and related dementias may have an impact on behavior and functional ability (Jones & van der Eerden, 2008), which can result in caregiver burden and stress. This burden and stress may in turn influence quality of life of people with AD and related dementias as well as that of their caregivers. Occupational The American Journal of Occupational Therapy 505 Downloaded From: http://ajot.aota.org/pdfaccess.ashx?url=/data/journals/ajot/929903/ on 03/11/2018 Terms of Use: http://AOTA.org/terms