Wine in the Treatment of Long‐Term Geriatric Patients in Mental Institutions

There was a dramatic reduction in the use of chloral hydrate to induce sleep and there also was an increase in congenial interpersonal communication, suggesting wine may play a significant role in treatment programs for the elderly.

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The therapeutic effects of wine were studied in 80 long‐term psychogeriatric patients in two hospital wards each containing 20 men and 20 women. One ward was run on a Token Economy Program (TEP) and the other on a Free Enrichment Program (FEP). Under TEP, wine (limit, two servings of 1 1/2 ounces each) was purchasable with tokens earned by good behavior; under FEP, the wine was free regardless of behavior. The study lasted ten weeks, with a six‐month follow‐up. After the introduction of wine, there was a dramatic reduction in the use of chloral hydrate to induce sleep. There also was an increase in congenial interpersonal communication. The earning of wine tokens was a positive element in improving the behavior of some patients on the TEP ward, although it was a less effective behavioral reinforcement than cigarettes. Thus wine may play a significant role in treatment programs for the elderly. The subject needs further investigation.