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Can Cognitive Exercises Prevent the Onset of Dementia? |
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Sunday, 26 July 2009 |
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 Researchers from the University of New South Wales in Australia systematically reviewed results from clinical trials that examined whether cognitive exercises had any inoculative effect against the onset of dementia.
Fifty-four studies were reviewed to identify randomized controlled trials that tested the effect of a discrete cognitive exercise program on neuropsychological performance over time in healthy older adults. |
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Aromatherapy treatment for the management of agitation in severe dementia |
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Friday, 15 August 2003 |
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Researchers at Institute for Ageing and Health at Newcastle General
Hospital in the U.K. conducted a placebo-controlled trial to determine
the value of aromatherapy with essential oil of Melissa officinalis
(lemon balm) for agitation in people with severe dementia. Seventy-two
people residing in National Health Service (U.K.) care facilities who
had clinically significant agitation associated with severe dementia
were randomly assigned to aromatherapy with Melissa essential oil (N =
36) or placebo (sunflower oil) (N = 36).
The active treatment or placebo oil was combined with a base
lotion and applied to patients'' faces and arms twice a day by
caregiving staff. Changes in clinically significant agitation
(Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory [CMAI]) and quality of life
indices (percentage of time spent socially withdrawn and percentage of
time engaged in constructive activities, measured with Dementia Care
Mapping) were compared between the 2 groups over a 4-week period of
treatment. |
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