O'Connor, Daniel W., Eppingstall, Barbara, Taffe, John, van der Ploeg, Eva S

Background: Lavender essential oil shows evidence of sedative properties in neurophysiological and animal studies but clinical trials of its effectiveness as a treatment of agitation in people with dementia have shown mixed results. Study methods have varied widely, however, making comparisons hazardous. To help remedy previous methodological shortcomings, we delivered high grade lavender oil in […]

Moyle, Wendy, Cooke, Marie Louise, Beattie, Elizabeth, Shum, David H.K., O’Dwyer, Siobhan T., Barrett, Sue

Background: There is increasing interest in using complementary and alternative treatments to manage behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia such as agitation, aggression and depressed mood. Objective: To compare the effect of foot massage (intervention) and quiet presence (control) on agitation and mood in people with dementia. Design: A randomised controlled trial using a within-subjects, […]

Maseda, A., Sanchez, A., Marante, M. P., Gonzalez-Abraldes, I., Bujan, A., Millan-Calenti, J. C.

Long-term effects of multisensory stimulation were assessed using a “Snoezelen” room on older residents with dementia. Thirty patients were randomly assigned to 3 groups: multisensory stimulation environment (MSSE) group, individualized activities (activity) group, and control group. The MSSE and activity groups participated in two 30-minute weekly individualized intervention sessions over 16 weeks. Pre-, mid-, posttrial, […]

Lu, Der-Fa, Hart, Laura K., Lutgendorf, Susan K., Oh, Hyunkyoung, Schilling, Margo

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 […]

Lavretsky, H., Epel, E.S., Siddarth, P., Nazarian, N., Cyr, N. St., Khalsa, D.S., Lin, J., Blackburn, E., Irwin, M.R.

Background: This study examined the effects of brief daily yogic meditation on mental health, cognitive functioning, and immune cell telomerase activity in family dementia caregivers with mild depressive symptoms.; Methods: Thirty-nine family dementia caregivers (mean age 60.3 years old (SD = 10.2)) were randomized to practicing Kirtan Kriya or listening to relaxation music for 12 […]

Fu, Chieh-Yu, Moyle, Wendy, Cooke, Marie

Background: Aromatherapy and hand massage therapies have been reported to have some benefit for people with dementia who display behavioural symptoms; however there are a number of limitations of reported studies. The aim is to investigate the effect of aromatherapy (3% lavender oil spray) with and without hand massage on disruptive behaviour in people with […]