Doll therapy has been criticized for infantilizing dementia patients. In other words, a number of people believe that this practice enables treating dementia patients in a patronizing manner, essentially how a parent might treat a young child. This can diminish a dementia patient's sense of personhood and individuality.

Infantilization of dementia patients

Doll therapy has also been criticized as inappropriate care for a dementia patient when people with dementia may not be able to maximize their earlier level of autonomy. Some dementia patients might lack the cognitive capabilities to make complicated decisions about the care they receive. 

Limited autonomy in dementia patients

Doll therapy has been criticized for increasing serious distress in dementia patients when a patient loses their doll/believed their doll has passed away. In addition, several studies have shown that too much engagement with dolls can cause exhaustion in dementia patients.

Doll therapy can increase distress in dementia patients

- Infantilization of dementia patients
- Limited patient autonomy 
- Increased distress

University of Illinois at Chicago

Doll therapy is a type of nonpharmacological intervention that is characterized by giving dementia patients dolls to soothe and relax them. This therapy is associated with John Bowlby's attachment theory (1991). 

Doll Therapy

Mitchell, G., & Templeton, M. (2014). Ethical considerations of doll therapy for people with dementia. Nursing ethics, 21(6), 720-730.

Ethical considerations of doll therapy for people with dementia

Attachment theory is the likelihood of infants to form an emotional bond to their caregiver(s), which typically develops during the first six months of an infant's life. Doll therapy enables patients to experience past feelings again and takes them back to when their protection needs are satisfied. 

Attachment theory applied to doll therapy 

In the present study, measures of cognitive impairment between pre-intervention (no doll) and post-intervention (eight weeks) was statistically significant. Doll therapy stimulated better sensation, perception, speech, communication, and wellness in patients with dementia. 

Effect of doll therapy on the cognitive state of dementia patients 

In the present study, there was a statistical significant improvement in agitation levels and behavioral disturbances when comparing pre-doll therapy and post-doll therapy (8 weeks). There was a reported decrease in aggression, negative mood, negative verbal behavior, and obsessive behaviors. 

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