Investigating the effect of multisensory stimulation on depression and anxiety of the elderly nursing home residents: A randomized controlled trial

Purpose The aim was to determine the effect of multisensory stimulation (MSS) on the depression and anxiety status among nursing home‐dwelling elderly people in Ahvaz, Iran. Design and Methods This clinical trial study conducted on 28 old people living in nursing homes in Ahvaz, who were divided into two groups of intervention and control. The interventions included sensory stimulations of touch, sound, and sight for 4 weeks and 3 sessions weekly and 25 min per each session. Findings The mean depression and anxiety scores of the intervention group before and after the intervention were 14.5 ± 5.5 and 10.1 ± 5.3 and, 9.6 ± 8.1 and 6.1 ± 6.2, respectively. Practice Implications MSS could improve the condition of depression and anxiety in the elderly nursing home residents.