Montessori-Based Interventions for Dementia
(MAP-VA Trial)
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial tests a new approach to caring for veterans with dementia and serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, in VA long-term care settings. It focuses on Montessori-inspired techniques, known as Montessori Approaches to Person-Centered Care (MAP-VA), to help staff manage distressing behaviors like agitation and aggression, which affect both residents and caregivers. The study will determine if these methods improve residents' quality of life and if staff can easily adopt and maintain them. Veterans diagnosed with dementia, showing signs of cognitive impairment, or experiencing symptoms like depression or aggression might be suitable for this trial. As an unphased trial, it offers veterans the chance to contribute to innovative care approaches that could enhance their quality of life.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems to focus on non-drug interventions, so you might not have to stop, but it's best to check with the trial coordinators.
What prior data suggests that the Montessori Approaches to Person-Centered Care (MAP-VA) is safe for Veterans with dementia and serious mental illness?
Earlier studies have shown promise for Montessori-based programs like the MAP-VA in helping people with dementia. These studies have focused on improving mood, reducing restlessness, and enhancing the overall quality of life for residents in care settings. Research shows that participants generally handle these programs well, with no serious side effects reported from these non-drug approaches.
The MAP-VA program provides tools to train staff who work with veterans with dementia and serious mental health issues. It includes activities and strategies to engage residents using their existing skills, such as reading or following routines. The program aims to increase dignity, independence, and community involvement for residents.
Although the MAP-VA program is not a medication, its safety is supported by its focus on non-invasive, person-centered care methods. These methods are generally considered safe and helpful for improving the daily lives of people with dementia.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about Montessori Approaches to Person-Centered Care (MAP-VA) for dementia because it emphasizes engaging individuals using their remaining strengths like procedural memory and reading abilities, rather than focusing solely on cognitive deficits. Unlike standard treatments that may rely more on medications, MAP-VA provides practical strategies for caregivers to enhance residents' dignity, control, and independence through personalized activities. This approach not only aims to improve quality of life but also seeks to empower residents by involving them more actively in their community, which is a fresh and promising angle in dementia care.
What evidence suggests that the Montessori Approaches to Person-Centered Care (MAP-VA) is effective for addressing behavioral and neuropsychiatric symptoms in Veterans with dementia?
Research has shown that Montessori Approaches to Person-Centered Care (MAP-VA), the intervention tested in this trial, can enhance the lives of veterans with dementia and serious mental illness. Studies have found that these methods reduce upsetting behaviors like agitation and aggression. Staff trained in MAP-VA engage residents by focusing on their strengths, such as reading or remembering routines. This approach fosters a sense of independence and respect among residents. Previous research suggests that using MAP-VA may result in less medication use and fewer symptoms like depression. Overall, MAP-VA aims to create a better living environment for both residents and staff.12678
Who Is on the Research Team?
Michelle Marie Hilgeman, PhD
Principal Investigator
Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center, Tuscaloosa, AL
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for Veterans with dementia or serious mental illness in VA long-term care, showing symptoms like agitation or aggression. They must have a cognitive impairment score indicating issues and may be on medications like antipsychotics or sedatives. It's not for those in hospice or respite care.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Pre-Intervention Baseline Collection
All sites will start with a baseline collection phase without exposure to the intervention
MAP-VA Intervention
Montessori approaches to person-centered care (MAP-VA) introduces practical strategies for staff to engage residents
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for effectiveness and sustainability of the MAP-VA program after intervention
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Montessori Approaches to Person-Centered Care (MAP-VA)
Trial Overview
The study tests the Montessori Approaches to Person-Centered Care (MAP-VA) program at 8 VA Community Living Centers. It aims to improve resident outcomes and staff practices by addressing behavioral symptoms of dementia without relying solely on medication.
How Is the Trial Designed?
2
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Montessori approaches to person-centered care (MAP-VA) introduces practical strategies that frontline staff can use for successful engagement of residents through retained abilities such as implicit learning, procedural memory, reading abilities. Staff training provides practice with: 1) pre-developed activities and templates, 2) a simple reading assessment to inform development of external cues; and 3) identifying opportunities for increased independence and resident contribution to community routines. Staff are also introduced to concrete strategies that improve dignity, control, and independence.
All sites will start with a baseline collection phase without exposure to the intervention, consistent with the stepped wedge cluster randomized trial design. A sequential randomized crossover to the intervention (MAP-VA) will be assigned, which cannot be reversed once it has been introduced.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
VA Office of Research and Development
Lead Sponsor
Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital
Collaborator
VA Salt Lake City Health Care System
Collaborator
The VA Western New York Healthcare System
Collaborator
Center for Applied Research in Dementia
Collaborator
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Collaborator
Providence VA Medical Center
Collaborator
Citations
RePORT RePORTER - National Institutes of Health (NIH) |
Montessori Approaches to Person-Centered Care for VA (MAP-VA)— a staff training, intervention, and delivery toolkit— developed in collaboration with VA ...
Effectiveness and Implementation of Montessori Approaches...
Montessori approaches to person-centered care (MAP-VA) introduces practical strategies that frontline staff can use for successful engagement of residents ...
IIR 19-413 – HSR Study - VA Health Systems Research
Study Aims include:1) determine effectiveness of MAP-VA on resident behavioral, emotional, and physical health outcomes; 2) determine effectiveness of MAP-VA on ...
4.
trial.medpath.com
trial.medpath.com/clinical-trial/f013d671b6450afd/nct04829500-montessori-approaches-person-centered-careEffectiveness and Implementation of Montessori Approaches in ...
Aims: This 4-year study will examine both the effectiveness of the MAP-VA program on resident outcomes, person-centered care practices, and organizational ...
Montessori-Based Interventions for Dementia (MAP-VA Trial)
Aims: This 4-year study will examine both the effectiveness of the MAP-VA program on resident outcomes, person-centered care practices, and organizational ...
6.
iadrp.nia.nih.gov
iadrp.nia.nih.gov/project/montessori-approaches-person-centered-care-map-va-effectiveness-implementation-trialMontessori Approaches in Person-Centered Care (MAP-VA)
This work (International Alzheimer's and Related Dementias Research Portfolio - IADRP) identified by National Institutes of Health Library, is free of known ...
Current HSR Studies - VA Health Systems Research
Montessori Approaches in Person-Centered Care (MAP-VA): An Effectiveness-Implementation Trial in Community Living Centers, Hilgeman, Michelle, 2025-10-31. IIR ...
8.
researchgate.net
researchgate.net/publication/284138468_A_Systematic_Review_of_Montessori-Based_Activities_for_Persons_With_DementiaA Systematic Review of Montessori-Based Activities for ...
The aim of this study was to systematically assess the quality of the research examining the benefits of Montessori-based activities for persons with dementia.
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