Effect of doll therapy in managing challenging behaviours in people with dementia: a systematic review protocol

Review question/objective What is the effect of doll therapy on challenging behaviors (including agitation and verbal or physical aggression) in patients with dementia? Inclusion criteria Types of participants Adults (age >18years) diagnosed with dementia and living in any care setting will be included. Adults with dementia receiving antipsychotics will also be included and analyzed separately. Types of intervention(s)/phenomena of interest This review will include studies that evaluate the effects of giving dolls to persons with dementia for the management of BPSD. The review will include doll therapy delivered by either health professionals or carers. Studies will be included irrespective of the number and duration of doll therapy sessions. Studies will be excluded if the approach to giving dolls is not described.