Sonas Programme: A Compassionate and Sustainable Dementia Intervention

Gaurav Kohli; Navita Gupta; Sandhya Gupta; Manu Kohli

doi:10.55489/njcm.170220266031

Authors

Gaurav Kohli Chitkara School of Health Sciences, Chitkara University, Punjab; Sri Guru Harkrishan College of Nursing, Mohali, India
Navita Gupta Chitkara School of Health Sciences, Chitkara University, Punjab, India
Sandhya Gupta College of Nursing, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
Manu Kohli Chitkara School of Health Sciences, Chitkara University, Punjab, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55489/njcm.170220266031

Keywords:

Sonas Programme, Dementia, Quality of life, Cognitive stimulation, Communication

References

Threadgold SM. Sonas Programme - Engaging Dementia [Internet]. Engaging Dementia. 2022 [cited 2022 Jun 19]. p. 1-36. Available from: https://engagingdementia.ie/sonas-programme/

Almkvist O. Neuropsychological features of early Alzheimer's disease: preclinical and clinical stages. Acta Neurol Scand Suppl. 1996;165:63-71. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0404.1996.tb05874.x PMid:8740991

Calderone A, Marra A, De Luca R, Latella D, Corallo F, Quartarone A, Tomaiuolo F, Calabrò RS. Multisensory Stimulation in Rehabilitation of Dementia: A Systematic Review. Biomedicines. 2025 Jan 9;13(1):149. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13010149 PMid:39857732 PMCid:PMC11763105

Dolan O, O'Halloran J, O'Cuill M, Rafiq A, Edgeworth J, Hogan M, et al. Rehabilitation in dementia: CST and Sonas group interventions for people with moderate cognitive impairment. A pilot study. Irish J Occup Ther. 2022;50(1):28-35. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOT-08-2021-0019

World Dementia Council. The dementia challenge in India [Internet]. London: World Dementia Council. [cited 2026 Jan 4]. Available from: https://www.worlddementiacouncil.org/global-voices-indiablog

World Health Organization. World failing to address dementia challenge [Internet]. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2021 Sep 2 [cited 2026 Jan 7]. Available from: https://www.who.int/news/item/02-09-2021-world-failing-to-address-dementia-challenge

Strøm BS, Engedal K, Benth JS, Grov EK. Effect of the Sonas Programme on Communication in People with Dementia: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Dement Geriatr Cogn Dis Extra. 2017 Apr 7;7(1):122-135. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1159/000468147 PMid:28553314 PMCid:PMC5425769

Strøm BS, Ytrehus S, Grov EK. Sensory stimulation for persons with dementia: a review of the literature. J Clin Nurs. 2016 Jul;25(13-14):1805-1834. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.13169 PMid:27030571

Hutson C, Orrell M, Dugmore O, Spector A. Sonas: a pilot study investigating the effectiveness of an intervention for people with moderate to severe dementia. Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Demen. 2014 Dec;29(8):696-703. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1533317514534756 PMid:24833646 PMCid:PMC10852570

Strøm BS, Šaltytė Benth J, Engedal K. Impact of the Sonas Programme on Communication over a Period of 24 Weeks in People with Moderate-to-Severe Dementia. Dement Geriatr Cogn Dis Extra. 2018 Jun 21;8(2):238-247. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1159/000489041 PMid:30022997 PMCid:PMC6047560

Goyal AR, Engedal K, Benth JŠ, Strøm BS. Effects of the Sonas Program on Anxiety and Depression in Nursing Home Residents with Dementia: A 6-Month Randomized Controlled Trial. Dement Geriatr Cogn Dis Extra. 2021 Jun 8;11(2):151-158. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1159/000516804 PMid:34178020 PMCid:PMC8216003