Rocking Improves Well Being of Dementia Patients

In 1985 The University of Rochester conducted research on persons with dementia, either due to Alzheimer's or other causes. During the weeks they rocked, most resident's psychological and emotional well-being improved, says Nancy Watson, PhD and director of the Center for Clinical Research on Aging at the University's School of Nursing.

In the study, the rockers rocked for anywhere from half an hour to 2 and a half hours each day for five days a week. While not all residents improved, those who rocked the most, improved the most, says Watson. "The more they rocked the better they felt".

Several patients also requested less pain medication during weeks they rocked, Watson says; generally, those who rocked the most asked for pain medication less often, ranging from a very slight reduction to two or three fewer requests per week. Patients who rocked less asked for at least as much pain medication, and sometimes more.

Zealous rockers also improved their balance, a huge concern among the elderly population, where a fall often leads to drastically scaled-back quality of life. Watson says it's possible that the gentle rocking motion helped stimulate the residents' vestibular system, which helps maintain balance.

Rocking provides a worthwhile, mild form of exercise for these people," says Watson. "It would be difficult to take every patient for a walk, for instance, but residents can rock themselves, and many are happy to do so, given a little encouragement. This is an easy step to improve the quality of life for people in nursing homes."

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