Calming music and hand massage with agitated elderly

METHOD: A four group, repeated measures experimental design was used to test the effect of a 10-minute exposure to either calming music, hand massage, or calming music and hand massage simultaneously, or no intervention on the frequency and type of agitated behaviors in nursing home residents with dementia. RESULTS: Each of the experimental interventions reduced agitation more than no intervention. The benefit was sustained and increased up to one hour following the intervention. Physically nonaggressive behaviors decreased during each of the interventions.