Functional analysis of challenging behaviour in dementia: The role of superstition

Background. Intervention for challenging behaviour of residents living in c are homes is a neglected area of research. Pharmacological methods of manag ement are widespread, although support for their efficacy is, on the whole, poor. Aims. There is little research on non-pharmacological methods of management and the present study aimed to add to the small literature in this area, b y examining the meaning of behaviour for a given resident, within a functio nal analytic experimental framework. Methods. The study involved a systematic manipulation of specific trigger s ituations to evaluate their influence on challenging behaviour, using a sin gle case experimental design. Results. Five residents with agitated and aggressive behaviour were success fully managed. The difficulties in engaging staff in the use of non-pharmac ological, rather than pharmacological, methods and the scope for future ran domised trials using psychological and environmental interventions to manag e challenging behaviour, are discussed. Copyright (C) 2001 John Wiley & Son s, Ltd.