AD Lib

ID: 05441
Title:Use of Unproven Therapies by People With Alzheimer's Disease.
Publication Year: 1995.
Format(s): Journal Article
Language(s): English
Audience(s): Researchers , Social Workers , General Practitioners
Author(s): Coleman, L.M. , Fowler, L.L. , Williams, M.E.
Source: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 43(7)747-750. July 1995.

Abstract: This study describes the use of alternative therapies for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and examines the types of remedies being tried as well as characteristics of the patients and caregivers choosing these therapies. A group of 101 caregivers of people with AD who attended AD support group meetings in North Carolina responded to a descriptive survey involving a written questionnaire. The questionnaire determined the age of the patient; the severity of the dementia; caregiver frustration; the behavioral problems involved; and what type of alternative therapies had been used, specifically to improve the patient's memory, and the effectiveness of this therapy. Finally, the questionnaire asked participants to rate the supportiveness of the patient's primary care physician on a visual analog scale. Results reveal that 55 percent of caregivers reported that they had tried at least one alternative therapy to improve the patient's memory. Twenty percent of caregivers tried three or more unproven therapies. Vitamins were used most frequently (84 percent), health foods (27 percent), herbal medicines (11 percent), so-called smart pills (9 percent), and home remedies (7 percent). Most caregivers reported trying the therapies in the early stage of the illness and did not notice significant improvement in the patient's memory. Twenty-five percent of caregivers had tried unproven therapies for behavior problems. There was no correlation between the use of alternative therapies and the sex of the caregiver, age of the caregiver, level of caregiver frustration, presence of problem behaviors, or perceived level of physician support. The results show the use of unproven therapies by people with early AD is common and cannot be predicted by primary caregiver characteristics. Such conditions expose people to possible side effects, increased costs, and possible exploitation. 12 references. (AA-M).

Major Descriptor(s): Alzheimers-Disease , Behavior-Modification , Caregivers , Caregiver-Stress , Memory-Aids , Research , Research-Methodology , Therapy , Alternative-Medicine/
Minor Descriptor(s): BEHAVIOR-PROBLEMS , DEMENTIA , HERBAL-MEDICINE

New AD Lib Search