The Effects of a Tailored Activity Program for Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Purpose

To review the effectiveness of a tailored activity program (TAP) on neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS), occupational performance, and quality of life among people with dementia and their caregiver burden.

Methods

A literature review was completed using the following inclusion criteria: published prior to May 2021 and written in either English or Korean. The following databases were searched Embase, ProQuest, PubMed, and RISS using keywords “tailored activity program” and “dementia.” Seven studies were identified and analyzed.

Results

The effect size of the increase in quality of life was 0.79, the decrease in caregiver burden was 0.68, the decrease in NPS was 0.62, and the increase in occupational performance was 0.51. There were no publication biases.

Conclusions

Participation in TAP resulted in decreased NPS, improved occupational performance and quality of life, and decreased caregiver burden. This study presents evidence supporting the active application of TAP for community-dwelling people with dementia.

Keywords:

• Dementia
• tailored activity program
• meta-analysis
• neuropsychiatric symptom
• occupational performance

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Editage (www.editage.co.kr) for English language editing.

Disclosure statement

No potential competing interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the BK21 FOUR (Fostering Outstanding Universities for Research) funded by the Ministry of Education (MOE) of the Republic of Korea and National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) (Big data specialized education and research team for cognitive health and social integration of community-dwelling older adults).