---
title: BPSD — Agitation / Aggression
type: concept
last_updated: 2026-04-25
sources:
  - code/kb_loader/data/clinical/bpsd/agitation.json
status: settled
---

# Agitation / Aggression

Prevalence 50–70%, peaks at moderate AD. NPI domain: agitation.

## Sensor signature (multimodal AUC ~0.87)

- **EDA SCL:** >30% above baseline
- **HR:** >15 bpm above resting
- **Activity:** >2× baseline

Forewarning window: ~1.5 hours (aspirational, individualized models).

## Triggers

Environmental over-stimulation, pain, unmet needs (toileting, hunger, thirst), unfamiliar setting.

## Intervention (first-line non-pharmacologic)

Music therapy, sensory de-escalation, environmental simplification. Drug therapy is second-line. See [Intervention agent](../agents/intervention_agent.md).

## Evidence

- Iaboni 2022, n=48: individualized EDA+HR models AUC 0.80–0.95.
- Valenza 2018: EDA-only agitation detection >85%.
- Population: Western nursing-home cohorts. Chinese community-dwelling validation pending.

KB: [`code/kb_loader/data/clinical/bpsd/agitation.json`](../../code/kb_loader/data/clinical/bpsd/agitation.json). Umbrella: [BPSD](bpsd.md).