Objective: to evaluate the efficacy of a brief behaviour management trainin
g programme for family carers of patients with dementia and aggressive beha
viour.
Design: a randomized controlled trial of a four-session, community-based be
haviour management programme. The primary outcome measure was the Rating Sc
ale for Aggressive Behaviour in the Elderly.
Participants: 62 patients with dementia, and their co-resident carers.
Results: there were no significant differences in aggression scores between
behaviour management and control groups at follow-up. After adjusting for
baseline differences in Rating Scale for Aggressive Behaviour in the Elderl
y scores, there was a trend towards a reduction in aggressive behaviour in
the patients in the behaviour management group compared with those in the c
ontrol group (F = 3.37, P = 0.071).
Conclusions: this study adds to the small evidence base for the effectivene
ss of behavioural management strategies in dementia.