Journal article
Slowing progression of early stages of AD with alternative therapies: A feasibility study
Geriatric nursing (New York), Vol.34(6), pp.457-464
11/2013
DOI: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2013.07.003
PMID: 23972540
Abstract
This pilot study identified the feasibility and efficacy of the effect of combining healing touch (HT) and body talk cortices (BTC) on the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Both HT and BTC elicit the relaxation response and support cognitive function from two different perspectives. A two-group, repeated measures design was used. Subjects (n = 22), 65 or older with early stage (less than four) AD, residing in the community (n = 2) or in care agencies (n = 20), were assigned to either the HT-BTC group (n = 12) or the control group (n = 10) randomized by residence. The treatment group received, 6 months of weekly HT and performed the BTC technique daily. The usual medical regimen for all subjects was continued. The control group had no additional interventions. Both groups were assessed at baseline, 3 and 6 months. The groups did not differ significantly at baseline on cognitive reserve, age, gender, and ethnicity, nor on the outcome variables (cognitive function, mood, & depression). Adherence (76%) to the BTC protocol, the major feasibility problem, related to memory deficits. Significant interactions occurred regarding cognitive function and mood. Significant improvements in cognitive function (p = .008), mood (p = .001), and depression (p = .028) were observed in the treatment group which is not the usual course of AD. A decline in cognitive function occurred in the control group typical of AD's usual course. Although the number of subjects in this pilot study was small, and there were feasibility challenges with recruitment and adherence, important trends were noted suggesting areas for future study.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Slowing progression of early stages of AD with alternative therapies: A feasibility study
- Creators
- Der-Fa Lu - The University of Iowa, College of Nursing, 50 Newton Road, Iowa City, IA 52242-1121, USALaura K Hart - The University of Iowa, College of Nursing, 50 Newton Road, Iowa City, IA 52242-1121, USASusan K Lutgendorf - Department of Psychology, The University of Iowa, E11 Seashore Hall, Rm. E228 SSH, Iowa City, IA 52242-1409, USAHyunkyoung Oh - The University of Iowa, College of Nursing, 50 Newton Road, Iowa City, IA 52242-1121, USAMargo Schilling - Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, 200 Hawkins Drive, SE613 GH, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Geriatric nursing (New York), Vol.34(6), pp.457-464
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2013.07.003
- PMID
- 23972540
- NLM abbreviation
- Geriatr Nurs
- ISSN
- 0197-4572
- eISSN
- 1528-3984
- Publisher
- Mosby, Inc
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 11/2013
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences; Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Family and Community Medicine; Nursing; Obstetrics and Gynecology; Urology; Internal Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9984002362002771
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