Evaluation of a Small Group on a Psychogeriatric Ward and the Implications for Nursing Staff and Occupational Therapy Staff

Abstract

6 elderly confused ladies were selected from a psychogeriatric ward (mean age: 77.5 yr.; age range: 73 to 83 yr.). An ABAB design was used to evaluate the effect of having the ladies seated in a circle with a group leader for group discussion. Recreational material relating to particular topics was used as an aid to discussion. Meetings lasted for 30 min. each week for 6 wk., during each phase of the study. Different categories of engaged and disengaged behaviour were devised and observations using these categories were made to assess changes throughout the study. Over-all, during experimental periods, ‘engagement’ was increased by the presence of staff and of recreational material, and neutral and ‘sleeping’ behaviour decreased. Observations on the ward showed no evidence of generalisation to the general ward environment. An unexpected finding in the group sessions was that patient-patient interaction decreased during experimental periods. Some implications of the findings for nursing and occupational therapy staff are discussed.