Interventions that investigated the use of oral nutritional supplementation, such as commercial sip feeds,

selleck compound or vitamin and mineral supplements were excluded. Interventions that fortified food with protein or energy were also excluded.13 Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia were primarily of interest for this review. Two reviewers (RA and RW) independently screened titles and abstracts using the eligibility criteria. Where the eligibility of an article was unclear (and where the article appeared to fit the eligibility criteria) the full text was retrieved to compare it fully against the eligibility criteria to make an informed decision on inclusion to the review. Discrepancies were discussed and resolved with a third reviewer (JTC) where necessary. Data on study design, setting, find more population, intervention, outcomes and results, and risk of bias were collected using a standardized, piloted data extraction form. The data extraction form was piloted independently by 2 reviewers on 2 articles for inclusion, their forms were then compared, and any inconsistencies and queries about the form were agreed and modified in the final form. Data were extracted by 1 of 2 reviewers (RA or RW) and fully checked by 1 of 3 reviewers (RA, RW, or JTC). The quality of the studies was assessed using a checklist based on guidelines from the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination11 by 1 of 2 reviewers (RA or RW) and checked

by 1 of 3 reviewers (RA, RW, or JTC). Any discrepancies were discussed and resolved. Studies were split into groups by intervention type based on the literature that was included (music, group conversation, dining environment, and food service). The results of individual studies are tabulated using a visual

graphics program (W. Stahl-Timmins, personal written communication, 2013) and described. The electronic searches found a total of 6118 results; of these, 97 full texts were retrieved for closer examination. A total of 11 studies were included in the final review, with 2 identified from forward and backward citation chasing (none were identified from hand searching key journals). Reasons for exclusion at the full text stage are shown in Figure 2. Table 1 details the characteristics of the 11 included studies. Six were conducted in the United States,14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 2 were Phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase in Taiwan,20 and 21 and 1 each in Canada,22 Sweden,23 and Belgium.24 All studies were conducted and reported within the past 20 years with the most recent published in 2011.21 No randomized controlled trials were identified in this review. One controlled trial,17 3 before-and-after studies, and 7 repeated measure time series studies were included. Studies were small: sample sizes ranged from 5 to 41 participants. Three studies had fewer than 20 participants.14, 15 and 18 Residents’ mean age ranged from 74.8 years to 87.0 years, with generally more women than men involved.