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Using Complementary and Alternative Medicine to Treat Pain and Agitation in Dementia
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Using Complementary and Alternative Medicine to Treat Pain and Agitation in Dementia

Alison R. Anderson, Jie Deng, Robert S. Anthony, Sebastian A. Atalla and Todd B. Monroe
Critical care nursing clinics of North America, Vol.29(4), pp.519-537
12/2017
DOI: 10.1016/j.cnc.2017.08.010
PMCID: 5687304
PMID: 29107312
url
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/5687304View
Open Access

Abstract

The risk of pain in adults with dementia worsens with advancing age. Painful comorbidities may be underassessed and inadequately treated. Receiving treatment in critical care settings may indicate greater occurrences of pain and complications. Pain may exacerbate behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), such as agitation. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies may alleviate pain and BPSD, and continuity of therapy may bolster these therapeutic effects. This review did not reveal an apparent benefit of aromatherapy; however, improvements in BPSD have been shown previously. Massage and human interaction did demonstrate efficacy in reducing BPSD and pain.
Agitation Aromatherapy CAM Dementia Essential oil Massage Pain Touch

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