Effect of a non-pharmacological intervention, Voix d'Or®, on behavior disturbances in Alzheimer disease and associated disorders

An innovative non-pharmacological intervention called Voix d'Or (R) (Golden Voice) was proposed in the Cognitive behavioral unit (CBU) of the Memory center at the Hospices civils in Lyon. Voix d'Or (R) offers eight sound activities disseminated via an audio device based on different approaches sociotherapeutic (music therapy, reminiscence, relaxation, reorientation in reality). The aim of this study was to test the effects of the Voix d'Or (R) program on behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in patients with Alzheimer's disease hospitalized in the CBU. Twenty four patients with agitation and/ or apathy and/ or anxiety and/ or depression were included. Patients were randomly selected in the intervention group exposed to Voix d'Or versus a control group exposed to usual occupational activities. Patients were assessed before (T0) and after (T1) the intervention period. Several variables were measured: frequency and severity of behavioral disorders, anxiety, depression, agitation and apathy. A significant improvement of anxiety level between T0 and T1was observed in the group with Voix d'Or r compared to the control group. This study suggests that this non-pharmacological intervention may be beneficial on anxiety in patients with Alzheimer's disease.