Dementia
Research
Diet & Lifestyle
Ginkgo
biloba &
Dementia
Extracts of Ginkgo biloba are among the most
commonly prescribed drugs in France and Germany. Ginkgo biloba is claimed
to be effective in peripheral arterial disorders and in 'cerebral
insufficiency' although the exact triggering mechanism is not yet fully
understood.
Three of the ingredients of the extract
were recently isolated and found to contain active pharmacological
ingredients, but which one of those ingredients (or combination of them)
is responsible for beneficial clinical effects is uncertain.
The recommended daily dose (3 x 40 mg
extract) is based more on empirical data than on clinical dose-finding
studies. However, according to double- blind, placebo-controlled clinical
trials, Ginkgo biloba has therapeutic effects on the diagnostic entity of
'cerebral insufficiency,' which is categorised in Europe as being
synonymous with early dementia. To determine whether Ginkgo biloba has
significant pharmacological effects on the human brain, a pharmacodynamic
study was conducted using the Quantitative Pharmaco-electro-encephalogram
method. Scientists established that the pharmacological effects (based on
a predetermined 7.5-13.0-Hz alpha frequency band in a computer-analyzed
electro-encephalogram: the effects of Ginkgo on the central nervous system
was shown to be significantly different than a placebo, and there was also
clear differences observed between high and low doses. The 120-mg, but
particularly the 240-mg, single doses showed the most consistent effects
on the central nervous system which was similar to those associated with
well- known cognitive activators such as 'nootropics' as well as tacrine,
the only marketed 'antidementia' drug currently available in the United
States.
These findings clearly indicate that Ginkgo
biloba has demonstrable beneficial effects on the human central nervous
system although further research is required to establish the exact
mechanism that triggers the effects. It is certainly a promising herbal
remedy especially in the treatment of dementia.
IMPORTANT NOTE: It is important to seek the
advice of a qualified herbalists before taking any herbal supplements for
the treatment of any health problem.
Itil T.M.; Eralp E.; Tsambis E.; Itil
K.Z.;
Stein U. Central nervous system effects of Ginkgo biloba, a plant extract.
American Journal of Therapeutics (USA) , 1996, 3/1 (63-73)
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Aromatherapy,
Massage & Dementia.
Aromatherapy and massage could provide a useful addition to psychological
therapeutic interventions with clients suffering from dementia according
to research published in the British Journal of Clinical Psychology.
The effects of aromatherapy and massage on
disturbed behaviour in four individuals with severe dementia were
evaluated using a single-case research design. Each participant received
10 treatment sessions of aromatherapy, aromatherapy and massage combined,
and massage alone. The effects on each individual's behaviour in the hour
following treatment were assessed against 10 'no treatment' control
sessions. Reliable individualized disturbed behaviour scales were
designed. The effects of the treatments were mixed.
The opinion of the staff providing treatment was
that all participants benefited. On close scrutiny, only one of the
participants benefited from the aromatherapy and massage to a degree that
reached statistical significance. However, in two of the cases
aromatherapy and massage led to an increase in agitated behaviour.
Br J Clin Psychol
1997 May;36 ( Pt 2):287-96 Brooker DJ, Snape M,
Johnson E, Ward D, Payne M South Birmingham
Mental Health (NHS) Trust, UK.
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Aromatherapy
& Dementia
This study was
conducted in one multicultural dementia day-care centre over a period of 18
months. It introduced a gentle hand treatment for clients using three
essential oils. The study evolved out of the process of action research
where the family carers and day-care staff participated with the researchers
to choose, design, develop and evaluate a hand treatment programme. Data was
collected through in-depth interviews pre- and post-treatment, focus group
discussions, client observation logbooks and a disability scale. The
findings indicate a positive strengthening of the relationship between the
person with dementia and their family carer, and an improvement in feelings
of health and well-being for both. The specific improvements for clients
include increased alertness, self-hygiene, contentment, initiation of
toileting, sleeping at night and reduced levels of agitation, withdrawal and
wandering. Family carers have reported less distress, improved sleeping
patterns and feelings of calm. They also found the treatment useful in
helping them manage the difficult behaviours exhibited by their relative
with dementia. The benefits of this treatment for nursing practice are that
it is safe, effective and easily administered by staff in any setting.
Int J Nurs Pract 1998
Jun;4(2):70-83 Kilstoff K, Chenoweth L Faculty of Nursing, University of
Technology, Sydney, Australia.
For more
information: kathy.kilstoff@uts.edu.au
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Massage
therapy & Dementia
This detailed research evaluates the use of "Touch-Massage"
relating to the abnormal behaviour (either in connection with wandering
and/or restlessness and/or shouting) of the Elderly who stay in a same place
and show cognitive deficiency in connection with an Alzheimer's dementia.
In order to check the "intra personal"
consequences this action may have, 4 elderly people were chosen and an
experimental estimate with different levels was made with them. Two sessions
a week of 30 minutes each during 6 months (51 sessions) were suggested that
is to say a total of 204 sessions. The effects of this approach regarding
the different abnormal behaviour are estimated on one hand from a special
clinical grid which assess the different reactions, verbal or not, which
occurred during the session. On the other hand the effects are observed
directly fifteen minutes after the session.
The results are explained, first, for each person
and compared between each other; then they are explained according to a
collective way regarding the 4 old people. What emerges from all that is
that for the whole sessions which were proposed, the activity was accepted
at 95%. During the session, the signs showing physical relaxation (59%),
sleepiness (34%), research of different manners to communicate with us
(59%), stop or decrease of the abnormal behaviour (79%) prove the actual
benefit the activity brings during thirty minutes. Fifteen minutes after the
session, the signs showing physical relaxation (52%), sleepiness (42%),
research of different manners to communicate with us (23%), stop or decrease
of the abnormal behaviour (70%) are always significant. In view of the above
results, we can stay this new approach using the activity of "Touch
Massage" brings a further possibility of nursing care and can help to
answer the question "how to take in charge every day an elderly
demented patient".
Rech Soins Infirm 1997
Jun;(49):11-66 Malaquin-Pavan E Hopital Corentin Celton AP-HP.
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