total score by adding all the categories” (p.5). The behaviors are categorized into 3 categories based on behaviors: aggressive behavior, physically nonaggressive behavior, and verbally agitated occurring twice to several times a day (Cohen-Mansfield, 1991, p. 5). For this benchmark, the intervention would be considered successful if there is a decrease in frequency of agitation based on the CMAI scoring. For example, hitting is the first behavior listed on the inventory. If at baseline an individual was hitting several times an hour (score: 7) and at week 4 of the intervention that same individual is hitting once or twice a day (score: 5), then the intervention can be considered successful. 8. Cost/Benefit Discussion Massage therapy is a cost-effective intervention. This intervention requires limited training and can be performed by caregivers in facilities or even at home. According to Scales et al. (2018) massage is considered to be low investment. The time required for training is less than one hour and to implement is fifteen minutes or less. There are no special care provider requirements. One massage therapist will be hired to implement the intervention. Material purchase is less than one hundred dollars with no ongoing cost and no environmental modification (Scales et al., 2018). Implementation of this intervention requires minimal time, current caregivers in the facility, and modest resources. The primary goal in the care of a patient with dementia is maintaining quality of life. Behavioral symptoms associated with dementia negatively affect quality of life. Based on a systematic review people with dementia and caregivers highlighted a need for social, sensory, and spiritual engagement that is consistent with a normal life prior to dementia (Sellars et al., 2019). Nonpharmacological measures, specifically massage therapy, allow for an intervention that does not alter the person’s ability to engage as do many antipsychotics and is not associated MASSAGE THERAPY FOR AGITATION 13 with adverse events. Although there is no single intervention that reduces agitation for every patient, this intervention is a minimally invasive measure that is individualized and a place to start as it could decrease agitation based on the evidence and allow for a good quality of life. 9. Discussion of Results Due to COVID-19 this project was unable to be implemented at Sunrise Memory Care in Dallas so there is no data at this time. There are multiple outcomes one can anticipate. First, after massage therapy intervention, all residents experience a decrease in agitation outbursts. Second, some residents experience a decrease in agitation outbursts while others do not experience any change. Finally, massage therapy may not be effective in any of the residents in which case another non-pharmacological intervention could be implemented at the facility. Conclusions/Recommendations Dementia is a progressive disease that eventually results in cognitive and functional decline as well as behavioral and psychiatric problems. With an aging population there is increased demand for providers, caregivers, and families to understand the aging process and management of the behaviors commonly associated with dementia. The goal of this benchmark is to encourage collaboration, promote a change in the culture of prescribing medication as the first line, and implement individualized massage therapy for those who struggle with agitation symptoms. Dementia care is extremely individualized and constantly evolving as the disease progresses; therefore, it is recommended that massage therapy or other non-pharmacological interventions be utilized by providers prior to pharmacological interventions. Another recommendation is that there is continued research and evidence on implementing nonpharmacological interventions in the long-term care setting. Physical and Psychological Effects of 6-Week Tactile Massage on Elderly Patients With Severe Dementia Mizue Suzuki, RN, PHN, PhD1 , Asami Tatsumi, RN, PHN, PhD1 , Toshiko Otsuka, RN, PHN, PhD1 , Keiko Kikuchi, RN, PHN, MS1 , Akiko Mizuta, RN, PHN, MS1 , Kimiko Makino, RN, PHN, MS1 , Akie Kimoto, RN2 , Kiyoe Fujiwara, RN3 , Toshihiko Abe, OP, MS3 , Toshihiro Nakagomi2 , Tatsuya Hayashi, PhD4 , and Takayuki Saruhara, MD, PhD3 Abstract Tactile massage is a soft massage that improves physical relaxation and psychological well-being. The purpose of this study was to clarify the effects of a 6-week tactile massage on changes in physical and mental function, symptoms of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) among elderly patients with dementia. In addition, chromogranin A (CgA) levels as an index of stress examined the effects of tactile massage intervention. A tactile massage group consisting of elderly patients with dementia received tactile massage therapy a total of 30 times each for about 20 minutes between 16:00 and 17:00 hours. In the control group, the mean scores for ‘‘intellectual’’ and ‘‘emotional function’’ score decreased significantly after 6 weeks (P < .05); however, no change was observed in the tactile massage group. Both the ‘‘aggressiveness’’ score (P < .05) and CgA levels decreased significantly after 6 weeks in the tactile massage group. These results suggest that tactile massage reduces aggressiveness and stress level in patients with