Doll Therapy: when the game becomes reality. The therapeutic function of the doll in the treatment of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease

Journal title RIVISTA DI PSICOTERAPIA RELAZIONALE
Author/s Laura Pasquini
Publishing Year 2018 Issue 2018/47
Language Italian Pages 16 P. 63-78 File size 219 KB
DOI 10.3280/PR2018-047005
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The article explores doll therapy as a non-pharmacological therapy adopted in the treatment of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, with particular reference to the psychological aspects and to the therapeutic function of the doll. Interest in the clinical application stems from the direct experience of the author as a psychologist in a Sunday Alzheimer Day Care Center. The author explores which factors can predispose to the therapy acceptance, the course of therapy over time, and the outcomes achieved for each patients, through a qualitative research that involved 14 patients over 6 months.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease, attachment, behavioral problems, dementia, doll therapy.

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Laura Pasquini, Doll therapy: quando il gioco diventa realtà. La funzione terapeutica della bambola nel trattamento delle demenze e dell’Alzheimer in "RIVISTA DI PSICOTERAPIA RELAZIONALE " 47/2018, pp 63-78, DOI: 10.3280/PR2018-047005