# NON-PHARMACOLOGIC MODIFICATIONS OF BEHAVIOR IN AD

> **NIH NIH R01** · NEW YORK UNIVERSITY · 1992 · $123,252

## Abstract

Disturbing behavioral symptoms of Alzheimer's disease (AD) are a major
cause of stress and burden for caregivers and a frequent reason for
patient institutionalization.  Although pharmacologic and
non-pharmacologic treatment methods have been attempted , limited
information is available on a combined caregiver/patient approach to
manage these AD symptoms and alleviate caregiver stress and burden.
Subjects currently being studied and treated as part of an NIA-funded
pharmacologic treatment study, and their caregivers, will be enrolled in
the proposed study (N = 60 dyads) and randomly assigned to either
treatment or control condition.  The primary objectives are to assess the
effect of nonpharmacologic interventions on: (1) a reduction in the
magnitude and severity of disturbing patient behaviors; (2) a reduction
in the caregiver's level of perceived stress; and (3) a reduction in the
caregiver's level of burden.  Secondary objectives are to assess possible
impact of the proposed interventions on (1) a reduction in psychotropic
patient medication; and (2) on postponement or prevention of
institutionalization of the patient.  Specifically, we will investigate
whether a combination of the following interventions, individually
tailored to each caregiver/patient dyad, will influence outcome: (1)
developing, with the caregiver and the patient, a daily schedule of
planned activities based on the patient's present cognitive and
functional level, past interests and activities, and circumstances of
their home environment; and (2) educating the caregiver regarding the
cognitive, behavioral and functional course of AD, and the use of
behavior-management techniques to avert or minimize the most difficult
problems of behavior and activities of daily living (ADLs).  A home visit
will be made to determine the adaptability of the activities schedule to
the home environment.  The activities schedule will be reevaluated
monthly with the caregiver to determine the appropriateness and
effectiveness of the proposed interventions.  The hypothesis that
problem-focused educational and therapeutic interventions with
caregivers, aimed at developing practical skills in behavior management,
combined with meaningful pleasant activities performed with patients, may
reduce the frequency and severity of behavioral disturbance and alleviate
caregiver burden will be rigorously evaluated.  It is hoped that this
preliminary investigation will elicit valuable initial information on the
efficacy of these approaches which may be of immediate relevance in AD
community treatment settings.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3123429
- **Project number:** 1R01AG011505-01
- **Recipient organization:** NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
- **SAM.gov UEI:** NX9PXMKW5KW8
- **Principal Investigator:** Barry Reisberg
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1992
- **Award amount:** $123,252
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 1992-09-30 → 1995-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3123429

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3123429, NON-PHARMACOLOGIC MODIFICATIONS OF BEHAVIOR IN AD (1R01AG011505-01). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3123429. Licensed CC0.

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