2014 AAGP Annual Meeting

depression severity in both groups at mid-point and end of the study. No statistically significant differences were noted be-tween groups in BDNF levels or Stroop (executive function) or arthritis measures (other secondary outcome measures). Sta-tistically significant changes in the control group for IL-1B (pro-inflammatory cytokine) and Il-4 (anti-inflammatory cytokine)were noted.Conclusions: Depression comorbid with arthritis responds well to adjunctive treatment with Tai Chi. The impact of social-ization and group interaction plays a significant role in depression outcomes. Further research in Tai Chi and other groupinterventions can add to the effective non-pharmacologic treatment armamentarium for depression in older adults.

Baseline Characteristics

Control Tai Chi

Variable

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Standard Deviation

Am J G

Standard Deviation

eriatr Psychiatry 22:3, Supple

P-value

Mean Mean

Age

73.5 7.07107 71.5 5.2372 0.5307 SIGH-D 20 4.2762 17.5 1.6036 0.1439 CGIS 4.125 0.8345 4 0.5345 0.7266 ASES 6.15375 1.1951 7.15875 1.9886 0.2408 Weight 187.875 48.2743 174 31.4052 0.5067 Systolic BP 133 17.0462 137 10.3156 0.5909 Diastolic BP 76 12.3866 80 11.9881 0.5223 Heart Rate 78 12.5925 79.875 11.7405 0.7626 Stroop (scaled) 11.25 3.4949 10.75 4.6214 0.8107

This research was funded by: This research was conducted by grant support from University of South Carolina ClinicalIncentive Pilot Grant Program Award # 18120-12-29031.

Poster Number: NR 37Volunteers Adding Life in Dementia (VALID): A Volunteer-Led Intervention to ReduceNeuropsychiatric Symptoms of Dementia in Long-Term CareDallas Seitz, MD1; Kenneth Le Clair, MD1; Lindsay Lavictoire, MSc1; Amber Knuff, BA1; Sudeep Gill, MD2

1Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada2Queen’s University - Department of Medicine, Kingston, ON, Canada

Introduction: Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) are common among older adults with dementia in long-term care (LTC)settings. Nonpharmacological interventions are safe and effective treatments for NPS although LTC staff have limited time toimplement these activities. The use of volunteers may be one way to increase utilization of these strategies.Methods: We developed a volunteer training program based on best-evidence for the management of NPS. Communityvolunteers were recruited and trained in the program. Older adults with NPS associated with dementia were enrolled from asingle LTC in Kingston, Ontario. Each participant received up to 3 - 30 minute volunteer visits weekly for a duration of 12weeks. The primary outcome was change in the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory (CMAI) from baseline to week 12.Secondary outcomes included changes in the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia(CSDD), Dementia Quality of Life (DEMQOL) and nursing strain. The volunteer experience was assessed through interviews.Results: A total of 10 participants and 14 volunteers were recruited for this pilot study. The average age of participants was 83.8 years,88% were female and the mean MMSE score was 7.6. The mean age of volunteers was 28.9 years, 79% were female and 71% werestudents. Volunteers provided an average of 10.4 (standard deviation (SD): 7.4) hours of interaction for each participant.MeanCMAIscores decreased from 65.4 (SD: 25.7) to 52.7 (SD¼22.50) at week twelve (P¼0.08). CMAI scores at weeks 2 and 8 were significantlyreduced when compared to baseline. NPS and CSDD were numerically lower at week 12 when compared to baseline although thesewere not statistically significant. Interviews with volunteers identified that their experience was positive and meaningful.Conclusions: Volunteers may be a feasible method to provide nonpharmacological interventions for older adults with NPS inLTC settings. A cluster randomized controlled trial is currently underway to examine the efficacy of volunteer visits to treat NPS.

This research was funded by: This study was supported by an Alternate Funding Plan Innovation Fund research grant fromQueen’s University and by a New Investigator Research Grant#12-236827 from the Alzheimer’s Association.

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