A feasibility study of Dreampad™ on sleep, wandering and agitated behaviors in people living with dementia

This feasibility study examined Dreampad™, a sleeping device, on sleep, wandering and agitated behaviors in people living with dementia. Four nursing home residents (2 males and 2 females; mean age = 89.8 years (SD = 7.2); mean MMSE scores = 9.3 (SD = 8.7)) used Dreampad™ daily over 4-weeks when they slept. Agitation was assessed pre- and post-intervention. Wandering and sleeping patterns were assessed using a wearable actigraphy device over 24 hours at baseline and every week during the intervention. Dreampad™ was deemed acceptable and feasible for use with people living with dementia by family and care staff. No support for Dreampad™ in improving sleep or behaviors of agitation and wandering was found. Challenges in using the wearable actigraphy device are reported. Attention is needed to ensure consistent use of Dreampad™ by people living with dementia and their wear adherence of the actigraphy device. Further rigorous research is warranted and can be guided by the study outcomes.