Authors

  1. POPE, SANDRA K. PHD, MPH
  2. BECK, CORNELIA PHD

Article Content

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies in Alzheimer's disease (AD) are receiving increased attention from those with AD, their families, and the research community. CAM describes a wide spectrum of therapies and medical systems, ranging from mind/body medicine, such as relaxation therapy and yoga, to whole medicine therapies, such as naturopathy and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Also included as CAM therapies are those that are designed to promote lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise. Many of these lifestyle-focused CAM therapies have been accepted by Western medicine and are being rigorously studied.1

 

Most CAM therapies are based on common principles: the belief that humans have a natural ability to heal and that this ability can be facilitated and strengthened by the proper stimuli. Most therapies view each person as unique and whole, and CAM treatments usually focus on the whole person, are tailored to the individual, and include multiple modalities.2 Most CAM therapies support a return to healthy behaviors in all aspects of life.

 

Less than 1% of AD cases occur before the age of 65 years, and these are most likely due to genetic causes.3 However, the contribution of genetic causes to late-onset AD (that occurring after the age of 65) is very small.4 Therefore, lifestyle behaviors are likely to play important roles in the risk of developing AD as well as in its progression. The research on CAM therapies indicates that it is possible for us to play a greater role in preventing disease than we considered previously. We may be able to lower the risk of AD through better treatment of health conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, diet, physical exercise, mental activities, social interactions, and stress reduction.5

 

These same lifestyle behaviors are well-established risk factors for the major chronic diseases that cause the vast majority of deaths in the United States, behaviors that include poor nutrition, chronic stress, physical inactivity, inadequate sleep, substance abuse, and exposure to a toxic environment. As a nation, we have made strides in improving our awareness of the importance of healthy lifestyles in preventing disease, yet we continue to have an epidemic of obesity, substance abuse, and sedentary lifestyle. Perhaps we can better address these epidemics through greater emphasis on the approaches of CAM.

 

As shown in this issue, several CAM therapies, including vitamins and herbs, acupuncture, and stress reduction, are being researched for their relevance to persons with AD or their caregivers. Other CAM therapies, such as music therapy, light therapy, and aromatherapy, have shown promising results in reducing cognitive decline and maintaining activities of daily living.6-8 In many cases, treatment with these CAM therapies has shown effect sizes equal to or greater than that seen using medication therapy.6,9,10

 

Results from some of the research on CAM therapies and AD offers hope that there are direct actions that one can take to prevent and delay this disease. The public health would be well served by more aggressive research on CAM therapies in the prevention and amelioration of AD.

 

REFERENCES

 

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