Aromatherapy may help dementia patients
Lemon, lavender, and light studied as alternative treatments
Saturday, December 7, 2002 Posted: 7:45 AM EST (1245 GMT)
LONDON, England (Reuters) -- Alternative treatments such as aromatherapy could help elderly patients struggling with dementia, researchers said this week.
Drugs and sedatives prescribed to control the symptoms of Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia often have uncomfortable side-effects.
Psychiatrists said some types of complementary medicine work and are well tolerated by elderly patients.
"Aromatherapy and bright light treatment seem to be safe and effective and may have an important role in managing behavioural problems in people with dementia," said Alistair Burns, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Manchester, England.
In an editorial in The British Medical Journal, he and his colleagues said three trials done in the past year have shown the benefit of aromatherapy, particularly the use of lemon balm and lavender oil, for dementia patients.
The oils contain compounds that are absorbed into the body and seem to improve some of the symptoms of the illness.
Studies have also shown that bright light therapy, which involves sitting in front of a light box, can also ease the restlessness and sleeping and behavioural problems which accompany dementia, according to the researchers.
"People with dementia are among the most vulnerable in our society.
Symptoms often need to be treated expediently, and drugs, although moderately effective, can be hazardous," Burns added.
Dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, is a global problem affecting about 18 million people worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. The number of people with the disorder is expected to increase to 34 million in 25 years time.
Get the story here.
Saturday, December 7, 2002 Posted: 7:45 AM EST (1245 GMT)
LONDON, England (Reuters) -- Alternative treatments such as aromatherapy could help elderly patients struggling with dementia, researchers said this week.
Drugs and sedatives prescribed to control the symptoms of Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia often have uncomfortable side-effects.
Psychiatrists said some types of complementary medicine work and are well tolerated by elderly patients.
"Aromatherapy and bright light treatment seem to be safe and effective and may have an important role in managing behavioural problems in people with dementia," said Alistair Burns, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Manchester, England.
In an editorial in The British Medical Journal, he and his colleagues said three trials done in the past year have shown the benefit of aromatherapy, particularly the use of lemon balm and lavender oil, for dementia patients.
The oils contain compounds that are absorbed into the body and seem to improve some of the symptoms of the illness.
Studies have also shown that bright light therapy, which involves sitting in front of a light box, can also ease the restlessness and sleeping and behavioural problems which accompany dementia, according to the researchers.
"People with dementia are among the most vulnerable in our society.
Symptoms often need to be treated expediently, and drugs, although moderately effective, can be hazardous," Burns added.
Dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, is a global problem affecting about 18 million people worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. The number of people with the disorder is expected to increase to 34 million in 25 years time.
Get the story here.
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