Prior to the start of the study, the MMSE was administered to identify patients in the experimental group with severe and moderate dementia. Patients who scored between 0 and 17 on the MMSE were classified as having severe dementia, while those who scored between 18 and 23 were classified as having moderate dementia and included in the study. Before the intervention began, the vital signs of elderly patients with dementia were recorded and documented using the Structured Patient Information Form.

Toy doll therapy was administered by the same researcher to elderly dementia patients who scored 35 or higher on the long form of the CMAI. In accordance with the principles of toy doll therapy as outlined in the literature, the intervention was conducted four days per week over a total period of 12 weeks for agitated elderly patients with dementia.

Three standardized assessment tools were administered to both the moderate and severe dementia groups at three time point

Before the study commenced, the MMSE was administered to identify patients in the control group with moderate and severe dementia. Patients scoring between 0 and 17 were classified as having severe dementia, while those scoring between 18 and 23 were classified as having moderate dementia and included in the study. Prior to the start of the intervention, the vital signs of elderly patients with dementia were recorded and documented using the Structured Patient Information Form.

Elderly dementia patients who scored above 35 on the long form of the CMAI were included in the control group. No intervention was administered to either subgroup (moderate and severe dementia patients) in the control group. These patients continued to receive their routine medical care and treatment.

Patients in the control group were assessed using the CMAI, the EdFED, and the Katz ADL at three time points: at the beginning of the study, at the midpoint (week 6), and at the end (week 12).

Doll therapy applied to the experimental group 4 days a week.

One standardized assessment tool administered to both the moderate and severe dementia groups at three time points: at the beginning of the study, at the midpoint (week 6), and at the end (week 12). These tool included the EdFED. The scale consists of 11 items and can be administered in less than five minutes. The first 10 items address feeding behaviors during meals; each item is scored based on the frequency of occurrence. If the behavior does not occur during meals, it is scored as "never" (0 points), if it occurs 2-3 times a week it is scored as "sometimes" (1 point), and if it occurs more than 4 times a week, it is scored as "often" (2 points). There is no cutoff score or reverse scoring in the scale. The total score obtained from the first 10 items ranges from 0 to 20, with a score of 20 indicating the most severe condition. The total score can be used to track changes in the patient's nutritional status. The level of support the patient requires is determined by item 11.

One standardized assessment tool administered to both the moderate and severe dementia groups at three time points: at the beginning of the study, at the midpoint (week 6), and at the end (week 12). These tool included the CMAI. The CMAI uses a Likert scale, where each item is scored from "1 never" to "7 several times per hour." The total score is calculated based on a maximum of 32 items, with a possible total score range from 29 to 181.

One standardized assessment tool administered to both the moderate and severe dementia groups at three time points: at the beginning of the study, at the midpoint (week 6), and at the end (week 12). These tool included the Katz ADL. The scale assigns scores to daily activities such as bathing, dressing, toileting, mobility, continence, and feeding. Based on the total score, the individual's level of dependence is classified as follows: 0-6 points indicate dependence, 7-12 points indicate partial dependence, and 13-18 points indicate independence. Each item on the Katz ADL scale includes response options indicating whether the individual is independent, partially dependent, or dependent. The scale assesses six fundamental activities: bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, continence, and feeding.

One standardized assessment tool administered to both the moderate and severe dementia groups at three time points: at the beginning of the study, at the midpoint (week 6), and at the end (week 12). These tool included the EdFED. The scale consists of 11 items and can be administered in less than five minutes. The first 10 items address feeding behaviors during meals; each item is scored based on the frequency of occurrence. If the behavior does not occur during meals, it is scored as "never" (0 points), if it occurs 2-3 times a week it is scored as "sometimes" (1 point), and if it occurs more than 4 times a week, it is scored as "often" (2 points). There is no cutoff score or reverse scoring in the scale. The total score obtained from the first 10 items ranges from 0 to 20, with a score of 20 indicating the most severe condition. The total score can be used to track changes in the patient's nutritional status. The level of support the patient requires is determined by item 11.