# Identifying instruments for measuring agitation and other non-cognitive symptoms in people with advanced dementia in residential settings: a scoping review protocol

## TL;DR

This study aims to find suitable tools for measuring agitation and non-cognitive symptoms in people with advanced dementia living in residential care.

## Contribution

The novelty lies in evaluating the feasibility of existing tools for use in residential settings with advanced dementia patients.

## Key findings

- A systematic search across multiple databases will identify relevant instruments.
- The review will assess the practicality and psychometric properties of these tools in residential settings.

## Abstract

Various instruments exist for assessing agitation and broader non-cognitive symptoms in dementia (NCSD). However, the feasibility and practicality of using these instruments in residential settings with people with advanced dementia have not been evaluated. The aim of our review is to identify the available evidence regarding tools for measuring (1) Agitation and (2) NCSD in people with advanced dementia in residential settings, in terms of use (feasibility and psychometric properties) in this population.

Literature searches will be carried out in Medline, Embase, CINAHL, PsycInfo, Scopus, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Grey literature databases and relevant websites will also be explored for guidance documents, task reports, etc. A three-stage screening process will be adopted and will include pilot testing of source selectors. Two reviewers will independently perform title and abstract screening, then full text screening, against the defined eligibility criteria. This scoping review protocol was registered with Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/p7g86).

Due to the nature of the scoping review, ethical approval is not required. Results will be disseminated in a peer-reviewed journal and at international conferences.