Case-controlled study of nursing home residents referred for treatment of vocally disruptive behavior

The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with vocally disru ptive behavior (VDB) in nursing home patients referred to aged care service s for treatment, using a case-control methodology. Characteristics of the V DB, reasons for referral, perceived causal factors, and psychotropic use we re noted. Twenty-five subjects and controls were examined with the Screamin g Behavior Mapping Instrument, the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia , the Dementia Behavior Disturbance Scale, and measures of cognition, funct ional capacity, social activities, and emotional reactions of nursing staff . VDB was associated with other disturbed behaviors, depression, anxiety, s evere dementia, functional impairment, communication difficulties, use of p sychotropic medication, social isolation, and emotional distress in the nur sing staff. Reasons for referral may relate more to the stress experienced by nursing home staff in managing VDB than to specific attributes of the VD B itself.