Outcomes Associated With Namaste Care for People With Dementia in Institutional Settings: A Systematic Review

Vollständiger Abstract

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Background Namaste Care is a person-centered, non-pharmacological approach supporting comfort and engagement in institutional dementia care. Objective To synthesize quantitative evidence on clinical outcomes associated with Namaste Care among people with dementia living in institutional settings. Methods A systematic search was conducted across eight databases during February 2026. Quantitative studies evaluating Namaste Care or explicit adaptations were included. Methodological quality was assessed using the revised Joanna Briggs Institute appraisal checklists, and findings were synthesized narratively. Results Thirteen studies were included, comprising 2 cluster-randomized controlled trials and 11 one-group pre-post studies. Favorable findings were reported for behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, particularly agitation, although most came from uncontrolled studies. Some studies also reported reductions in pain or discomfort, whereas findings for quality of life were heterogeneous. Interpretation of findings was limited by uncontrolled designs, longitudinal attrition, and frequent discrepancies between planned and actual intervention doses.