There Was Found To Be A Reduction In Challenging And Aggressive Behaviors Doll Therapy Review |work| Jun 2026
Reviewing findings on doll therapy reveals that it is a significant non-pharmacological intervention for reducing challenging and aggressive behaviors in individuals with dementia . Research suggests that by fulfilling attachment needs and providing a sense of purpose, these lifelike dolls can calm agitation and improve overall emotional well-being without the side effects of medication. PubMed Central (PMC) (.gov) +3 Core Findings on Challenging Behaviors Systematic reviews consistently report a marked decrease in negative behavioral symptoms when doll therapy is introduced: Reduced Aggression and Agitation
Some benefits of doll therapy include:
Doll therapy, also known as doll play therapy or doll-assisted therapy, is a form of play therapy that involves the use of dolls or stuffed animals to help individuals, often children or adults with cognitive or emotional impairments, express and manage their emotions. The therapy aims to provide a safe and non-threatening environment for individuals to act out their feelings, experiences, and relationships through play. This review focuses on the effectiveness of doll therapy in reducing challenging and aggressive behaviors in individuals with various needs. Reviewing findings on doll therapy reveals that it
Research has shown that doll therapy can be effective in reducing challenging and aggressive behaviors in individuals with dementia and autism spectrum disorder. Studies have reported a significant decrease in behaviors such as aggression, agitation, and restlessness in individuals who participated in doll therapy.
Future research should:
The exact mechanisms underlying doll therapy are not fully understood, but several theories have been proposed. These include:
The findings suggest that doll therapy can be an effective intervention for reducing challenging and aggressive behaviors in individuals with various needs. The studies reported significant reductions in: The therapy aims to provide a safe and
A comprehensive review of multiple studies on doll therapy in dementia care found a notable reduction in challenging and aggressive behaviors among participants. The analysis, which pooled data from long-term care facilities, showed that individuals who received a lifelike doll exhibited fewer episodes of physical aggression, verbal outbursts, and agitation compared to control groups. Caregivers reported that the dolls provided comfort, reduced wandering, and improved engagement in daily activities. However, the review also noted variability in outcomes depending on individual preferences and the stage of dementia, emphasizing that doll therapy is not universally effective but holds promise as a low-risk, person-centered intervention.
In clinical settings for dementia care, when doll therapy was introduced, offering a significant non-pharmacological alternative to traditional sedative treatments. Studies have reported a significant decrease in behaviors
