Doll therapy improves communication in dementia

The use of dolls in the care of people with dementia is emerging as a cost-effective non-pharmacological therapy with a number of benefits, according to a review of the medical literature.

Researchers from the UK and Australia looked at data from 11 studies involving 450 people which shows the therapy increases engagement with others, improves dietary intake and communication and reduces the number of anxiety episodes.

Doll therapy involves providing people suffering from dementia with a lifelike baby doll with whom they may form