Evidence of nonverbal communication between nurses and older adults: a scoping review

Abstract Background : Communication is an integral part of life and of nurse-patient relationships. Effective communication with patients can improve the quality of care. However, due to specific communication needs in older adults, the communication between them and nurses is not always effective. Additionally, though research has focused on communication, there is scant evidence on nonverbal communication between nurses and older adults with no communication impairment nor mental illness. Methods : This scoping review describes the type of nonverbal communication used by nurses to communicate with older adults. It also describes the older adults’ perceptions of nurses’ nonverbal communication cues. It followed Arksey and O’Malley’s framework. Relevant studies and grey literature were identified by searches in Pubmed, Science Direct, Sabinet, Academic search complete, CINAHL with Full Text, Education Source, Health Source- Consumer Edition, Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition, and MEDLINE. Google Scholar, and World Health Organization library. The studies and grey literature were then filtered by two reviewers independently. Eligibility criteria for inclusion were: (i) studies focused on nurses’ nonverbal communication with older adults; (ii) studies focused on older adults’ interpretation of nurses’ communication behaviors; (iii) any existing literature from 2000 to 2019 and (iv) literature in English and French. Results : Twenty-two studies were included in this review. The results demonstrate limited published research addressing nonverbal communication between older adults and nurses. The review also revealed that haptics, kinesics, proxemics, and vocalics were most frequently used by nurses when communicating with older adults; while there was limited use of artefacts and chronemics. There was no mention of silence as a nonverbal communication cue used by nurses. Additionally, older adults had both positive and negative perceptions about nurses’ nonverbal communication behaviors. Conclusion : Nurses should be self-aware of their nonverbal communication behaviors as well as the way in which the meanings of the messages might be misinterpreted. In addition, nurses should identify their own style of nonverbal communication and understand its modification as necessary in accordance with patient’s needs.