The growing popularity of prescribing a ‘social’ activity – such as regular exercise sessions, for example – as a treatment alternative to medication has been backed by researchers focusing on dementia.
In an online, peer-reviewed paper published today by The BMJ, an international team led by Jennifer A Watt, from the Knowledge Translation Program at the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, urges doctors and other clinicians to consider adopting drug-free approaches.
Dr Watt and her colleagues argue that options such as exercise and social interaction appear to be just as – or even more – effective than drugs in reducing the symptoms of depression in people with dementia.
The research team analysed the results of more than 250 studies involving more than 28,000 people with dementia, some of whom had a major depressive disorder, while some did not.
Drug approaches alone were no more effective than usual care, the team found, while 10 interventions were linked to a greater reduction in the symptoms of depression when compared with usual care. These were
exercise
reminiscence therapy
cognitive stimulation with a cholinesterase inhibitor
massage and touch therapy
multidisciplinary care
psychotherapy combined with reminiscence therapy and environmental modification
occupational therapy
exercise combined with social interaction and cognitive stimulation
animal therapy
Three interventions – massage and touch therapy, cognitive stimulation with a cholinesterase inhibitor, and cognitive stimulation combined with exercise and social interaction – were found to be more effective than some drugs.
Non-drug approaches were associated with a meaningful reduction in symptoms of depression in people with dementia and without a diagnosis of a major depressive disorder [Dr Jennifer Watt and colleagues]
Key facts
50 million people worldwide have a diagnosis of dementia
about 16 per cent of them also have a diagnosis of a major depressive disorder
32 per cent have symptoms of depression, but no formal diagnosis
TREATMENT PLAN BY DON KELLY
If you experience chronic knee pain, injuries, or advice for knee surgery and replacement please don’t hesitate to reach out. I have treated thousands of my patients with successful results over the last 20 years of my physio services.
BEFORE YOU SAY YES TO KNEE SURGERY REPLACEMENT- give me a ring for an assessment.
My treatment plan is the result of my experience and knowledge in treating chronic pains and injuries over the last 20 years. This is the holistic plan to guarantee pain relief, prevent recurring pains, and faster recovery.
EVALUATION/ASSESSMENT
PHYSIOTHERAPY PLAN BASED ON MY ASSESSMENT
HOMECARE EXERCISE/PLAN
ACUPUNCTURE
EXERCISE PROGRAMME
CUSTOM ORTHOTICS
