Modifiable factors associated with anxiety in persons with dementia: An integrative review

Objectives: The purpose of this integrative review was to examine factors related to the presence of anxiety in person with dementia (PWD) and to identify potentially modifiable factors among them.

Methods: An integrative review was conducted using PsycINFO, CINAHL, AgeLine, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus. Among 1856 studies identified, 27 studies were included.

Results: A number of modifiable factors associated with anxiety were identified. Individual level factors included pain, physical health, physical functioning, fatigue, sleep disturbance, disclosure of diagnosis, embarrassment about memory problems, separation from caregivers, views about oneself and others, social rejection, social isolation, and interactions with others. Caregiver factors associated with anxiety in PWD included caregiver stress, caregiver's negative reactions towards the behavioral problems of PWD, and competence about caregiving.

Conclusion: The results of this review can be used to identify potential targets for interventions to reduce for anxiety in persons with dementia.

Keywords: Anxiety; Anxiety symptoms; Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD); Cognitive impairment; Dementia.